Listen

When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Acts 2:1-4

Think

It was the day of Pentecost. Pentecost is a Jewish celebration that follows fifty days after Passover. Christians celebrate Pentecost as the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send heavenly power to his followers.

For those early followers this must have been confusing, awesome, and terrifying all at once. It was less than two months since their friend and rabbi was tortured and killed. Even after Jesus returned to them, could they still be harboring feelings of guilt after abandoning Jesus at the cross? I can only imagine the disciples huddled in this house with hurricane-force winds blasting through, everyone yelling in different languages with their hair on fire! Would your first thought be that this is the blessing of God’s spirit, or would this be God’s final punishment for your lack of faith?

We can all know fear and panic. Fear might be from a real, imminent threat, or it may be from our own sense of unworthiness. Thankfully, the Pentecost story doesn’t end here. This week it’s worth considering: what fears keep you from being fully open to the movement of the Holy Spirit?

Daniel Ingram

Pray

Holy and powerful God, forgive me for allowing my doubts to keep me from being all that I am. Help me to identify fears in my life that keep me from following the movement of the Holy Spirit. Equip me with the strength to overcome them. Amen.

Go

Spread the news of Christ into your corners of the world.

Don’t worry about whether you have what it takes.

You are God’s beloved child, and you have been gifted with all you need to follow Jesus faithfully.

Fear less and love more.