I love celebrating birthdays. This year, we celebrated my 50th. Imagine my surprise, when I arrived at church this Sunday, with the words, “Happy Birthday” flashing on the screen. Of course, those words were not intended for me.
Pentecost celebrates the birth of the church. I knew enough to wear my red, on that day, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, but had not given it much more thought. However, on this Sunday, I learned something new.
The word “Pentecost” in Greek means “fiftieth”. Pentecost recognizes the 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection plus the 10 days until the Holy Spirit arrived on the scene. Thus, giving birth to what we know today as the church.
In Acts 1:4-5, Paul recants Jesus’ instructions to the disciples, “ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
So that is what they did. They waited. Until the day came Jesus had promised and everything changed for them and us as well.
Happy Birthday church!
Acts 2:1-4 reads,
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…”
This is the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. This is that portion of God that resides within each human being. This spark turns our lives into a flame and gives our life purpose.
As I googled the word ‘spark,’ it took me to the phrase “divine spark.” This is what I read, “the divine spark is the portion of God that resides within each human being. The purpose of life is to enable the Divine Spark to be released from its captivity in matter and reestablish its connection with, or simply return to, God, who is perceived as being the source of the Divine Light.”
God’s image lives and breathes within you.
It went on to say,
“All human beings contain God’s holy spark. Each person is special because God can see his holy image in each of us, and we, in turn, can see our image in him. ”
When the Holy Spirit came on the scene, back in Acts Chapter 2, everything changes for us. Jesus came to model what our relationship with God the Father can be. But the Holy Spirit living and breathing within us, gives us power and meaning. The Spirit enables us to live the life God planned for us to live.
Our purpose is to embrace our relationship with God, look to Jesus to show us the way and understand that the Holy Spirit, this divine spark, this piece of God Himself lives within us. Wow!
Once you get that, you can go our and share God’s love with the whole world. One person at a time.
Let us pray,
Holy Spirit, turn our spark into a mighty raging fire. Let us experience You in a brand new way. Then, let us share that love with all those we meet today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
P.S. Leave me a comment below because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend or family member and ask then to subscribe to my website. Post on Facebook and tag me in it. Until next time, celebrate the Holy Spirit living and working within you. -M
