On the Way to Sunday: It's Pentecost ... again

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.  Acts 2:2-6 NIV

 As we approach the annual celebration of Pentecost, I have to admit that I have had to admit that I have been stuck with an 'old school' view of this day. It would seem that I have been willing to let Pentecost be a celebration of an event from the past and not really relevant today. 
 

Pentecost is the Birthday of the church, but let's be honest we all reach a point where Birthdays and parties seem like childish things - not relevant to our present situation.  Now don't get me wrong. I am not suggesting that the Holy Spirit or the Church have lost the relevance for today.  I just think we have missed the value of Pentecost in today's world as a real an active event. 

On the day of Pentecost, people were drawn to the disciples and each one heard their own language being spoken. I think we need Pentecost more than once a year.  We need it every day.  When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment.  We need a new vision of Pentecost.  One that speaks to us today.

When the day of Pentecost came

Mark A Hewitt, Pastel & pen. 26 May 2012.

We need a vision that allows today's disciples to speak a language that is understood by a broken and hurt world.  We need the church to be once again empowered to speak in new ways so that people who have stopped listening - might hear the Good News in a way that has meaning to them.

I am hopeful that we can still be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and learn to speak in new ways with our actions and our voices and then like Peter we can tell the story and answer the question, "Why are you doing this?" (Acts 2:12).

When is the last time people were drawn to you because of what they heard or saw?

John Wesley discovered a new voice over 200 years ago when he said, Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.

Perhaps its time for us to find a new voice once again in our actions and deeds as followers of Christ. This Pentecost may you find a new voice that others might hear the Good News for the first time.
 
See you Sunday ...