Listen

Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams. Even upon my servants, men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Acts 2:14-18

Think

God speaks to prophets through visions and dreams. Sometimes, these aren’t the kinds of visions or dreams one wants to come true, especially for those whom God rebukes. Thankfully, that’s not the case with the words of Joel coming to life in the book of Acts. God’s promise through Joel’s prophecy is beautiful, transcending barriers of age, sex, and even social standing. All flesh shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit because God will not hold back on this most gracious outpouring.

For us today, waiting on the Lord to fulfill promises is an experience that sometimes feels impossible. Surrounded by social media’s instant connection and communication, we must place our trust in a God who fulfills promises in a time beyond our understanding. We must place our cares, our worries, our entire selves in God’s hands in order to grasp the gift God really wants to give us – the transcending, barrier breaking, life changing gift that is the Holy Spirit.

Sarah Boatwright

Pray

Spirit of unity, thank you for the diversity of your creation. Give me the eyes to see not differences but similarities, not barriers but bridges, so that I can live out your promises today. Amen.

Go

“O Holy Spirit, enter in, and in our hearts your work begin, and make our hearts your dwelling.

Sun of the soul, O Light divine, around and in us brightly shine, your strength in us upwelling.

In your radiance life from heaven now is given overflowing, gift of gifts beyond all knowing.”

from “O Holy Spirit, Enter In” by Michael Schirmer