Spirit Moved
How does the Spirit move you? Does it make you feel special?
No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. - Acts of the Apostles 2:16-18
In today's reading, Paul explains what is happening to the witnesses of the descending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They are not drunk, he says. It's too early for them to be drunk.
Well I have been on a cruise ship all week and I don't think the passengers know when it is too early to drink, but that isn't the point.
What Paul may be trying to tell us is that the Soirit of God can take control and give us amazing abilities to see and understand what has previously been hidden.
That's good, right?
Who doesn't want to have super powers?
But we are not easily convinced, are we? We could be witnessing a true revelation and dismiss it as foolishness or drunkeness. Just because the Spirit moves some to reveal the truth doesn't mean we will listen.
So the message is twofold. Not only do we need to be aware of the Spirit working within us. We also need to be receptive to the Spirit working in others.
Those around us who are Apirit moved may be sent by God to help us help ourselves. Wouldn't it be a shame if we dismissed them as crazies?
So, today, as I venture out and encounter strangers I will listen for the wisdom I lack. And maybe I will hear God telling me something I need to hear.
Of course, I may still encounter crazies along the way.
More to come...