Acts2:1-4
In the Old Testament, we see that Wind and Fire are two images that powerfully describe the working of the Spirit.
The wind imagery reminds us of God's life-giving breath that brings creation into being and makes humankind image-bearers of God. Here the wind is breathed into a body of people and the result is the birth of the church. The church is the corporate body capable of being led, indwelt and resuscitated by the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 describes the first "breath" of the Church.
The fire imagery takes us back to the burning bush of Exodus 3. It burns, but it is not consumed. It glows with divine light and heat but it is not destroyed. So too the church. The saints are not consumed by the fire and they each experience a unique manifestation of the fire, they are not all caught up in one flame - they remain individuals who encountered the unique powerful working of God in their lives.
They hear the wind, they see the fire. The outworking of the Spirit is a tangible thing. While we may not hear actual wind or see actual fire, we can experience the sounds and sights of the Holy Spirit in our faith communities.
We _hear_ Him at work in the sounds of passionate worship. empowered preaching and bold testimony.
We _see_ Him at work in the transformed lives of those around us - people like you and me who have overcome difficulties and challenges and look more like Christ every day.
Can you see the fire and hear the wind?
If you can, give thanks to God - it's the work of His Spirit!
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
