On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. — Acts 2:1-4, NLT
Carnivalesque. If you’re curious, that’s a real word.
It certainly should be a real word after all the tremendous events depicted here. A mighty windstorm and flames or tongues of fire settling on each of them? Yes, this can certainly be amazing—like a carnival itself.
But one of the quieter yet still carnivalesque things that happened is this: everyone was present. They weren’t half asleep or killing an hour before lunch. They were present. Alert. Alive. Ready.
We can also be present, alert, alive, and ready. More so, we can be anticipatory and expectant because the Holy Spirit then is the same Holy Spirit now. Like a windstorm of incredible power where flames and tongues settle on everyone — wowzah! — we, too, await the same thrill. This mind-blowing experience isn’t a one and done. This isn’t a ho hum, yesterday’s news sort of thing. No, this Holy Spirit? This is in the present. And we experience this Holy Spirit by being present.
This Sunday, don’t just sit but sit up. Don’t just look but look up. Let’s not just be. Instead, let’s be up for the energy of God in this always moving, wonderful, guiding and uniting.
PRAYER: God in mighty motion which we call the Holy Spirit, sure, you can feel like a whisper. And yes, we welcome and receive the whisper of who and how You are. Of course, this is exciting and wonderful and good. But know that we are also expecting You in a full-on, can’t be missed, wild rush of a non-stop speed that catches us and takes us with You. Amen.