It was recently Pentecost across the Christian world. The day that celebrates the arrival of the Holy Spirit, the helper that Jesus promised his disciples, in Acts 1: 5, soon before His ascension into Heaven. “ …John (the Baptist) baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” The disciples were instructed to remain in Jerusalem until the Helper arrived. When He did arrive, there was no mistaking that He was from God. There was a sound like a violent wind blowing from Heaven. There were tongues of fire that rested on each one of the disciples, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking to the many people who had gathered from across the known world. Everyone there heard the disciples speak in their own languages. (Acts 2)
I’ve been taught that the way the Holy Spirit moved on the first Pentecost was a special event for a special time, the beginning of the church, and that the Spirit does not move in such powerful ways anymore. I’m not an expert, and many people could discuss this in a much fuller way than me. But I do believe that the Spirit still moves today. There are healings, deliverances, prophecies, some believers speak in tongues. I’ve had people pray over me for tongues of fire. To be honest inwardly I was like, no, please don’t do that, as I was scared. As I’m getting older I wonder what my life would be like now if I had the bravery to embrace God, and to allow His power to transform me from the inside out back then. I’ve had glimpses and sensations of peace, joy, and power. But mostly I live without grasping these on a regular basis.
I am getting back to a place of enough trust in the Lord to boldly approach His throne of grace, and ask to be forgiven for doubts, and for straying, from idleness. Mostly I just want to feel home, to feel safe, loved, and useful.
I need the Holy Spirit for that. We all need Him. In the churches I’ve been to there is more of a focus on God the father, and on Jesus, which of course is fundamental to our faith. But I would love to experience more of the Helper too. Just imagine a holy spirit filled church in today’s world. As I believe is the case in many parts already.
Come, Holy Spirit, you are welcome here.
encouragement from someone who has been through the fire 