Imagine this…you wake up and instead of feeling like this is just another day at the old grind, instead of feeling like you want to crawl back under the covers or just get through to the weekend, you know something new and different is going to happen today. You are starting a new job and it’s scary and exciting…your whole life has been leading you up to this point in time. You feel like you’re on fire and can’t wait to get started. Even though you feel that you may not be experienced or good enough, you have a new employer and He’s equipped you with all you need to get the job done.
Welcome to the Workforce of the Holy Spirit…
where your mission, should you choose to accept it, is using your special gift(s), the one (or perhaps more than one) that God gave you, to fulfill His purpose here on earth. That’s how the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem on Pentecost must have felt waiting for Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to them to start their ministry work in spreading the good news of the Gospels.
Just Like Us, The Apostles were Afraid…
The world back then was a lot like it is today, filled with angry protesters. In fact, there was a mob in the streets just outside the Upper Room where they were gathered, many of whom were against the teachings of Jesus…the same ones who hung Him on a cross to die just several weeks earlier. But Jesus told them not to be afraid, wished them peace and even told them He would send them the Holy Spirit as their Guide. He had told them that if they believed in Him they would do the works He had been doing (which were pretty awesome, teaching, healing and saving people), and they would do “even greater things than these†because He was going to the Father. (John 14:12) And they would each have special gifts – and so would we. “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.†(1 Cor 12:4-7)
It’s All Pretty Scary and Exciting Isn’t It?
It reminds me of when I graduated from high school and college and how I felt like I was embarking on an adventure into my future. (Congratulations graduates, hold onto that fire!) In reflecting on Pentecost Sunday, I realized I can’t waste another day just feeling like I just want to get through the day or just want to get to Friday (like I sort of have been doing some days during the Coronavirus pandemic). Nor can I let fear hold me back. I need to believe that “THIS is the day the Lord has made†for ME to do my job for HIM. To write that next book, help other writers serving Him by speaking to them or editing their books, speak to others about the relevance of the Bible today in their lives…and who knows what else He has planned! I need to keep that spark within me alive.
Are you on fire in your work for the Lord? If not, what can you do to fan the flames?
Dear Lord, thank you for this day and all you have planned for me; ignite the spark within me so that I feel on fire to do Your work to benefit You and others.
For more information or to find out more about Michele and her books visit: www.michelechynoweth.com
