Monday Morning Challenge

Monday, September 23rd

Text: Acts 2:1-41

I recently learned that one of the ancient Celtic symbols for the Holy Spirit is a wild goose!  For me this image implies that the Holy Spirit is never something to be contained, let alone caught.  It is wild and free, always capable of doing what it pleases, never able to be tamed.

When God’s Holy Spirit comes into the life of a believer, something powerful happens.  We open ourselves up to God’s leading and guiding.  We begin to see things that God sees and do things that once felt impossible or were out of character for us.  We are given power to accomplish things we never thought possible before. 

On Sunday, I tried to illustrate how Pentecost changed the Apostle Peter.  When Jesus was alive, things never seemed to click for Peter.  He never seemed to understand what he was saying nor did he understand the impact of his words.  I like to think of pre-Pentecost Peter as a “loose cannon” of sorts. 

Yet, when the Spirit came on Pentecost and Peter was filled in a new way by the presence and power of God, he stood up and shared the gospel message with clarity and conviction.  What never made sense to him now became clear.  What he could never articulate flowed effortlessly from his lips. So convincing were his words that those who heard were “cut to the heart” and wanted to know what they should do in response. 

The “wild goose” Holy Spirit took this “loose cannon” Peter and filled him with the resources to convey the Gospel message with great passion and effectiveness. 

When you have a free moment today, take a moment to pray and ask God to fill you with his Spirit in a fresh way. 

Then, reflect on these questions, seeking to grow in your awareness of the Spirit’s work in your life.

1. How do you feel/sense the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life?
2. Has the Holy Spirit ever compelled you to do something out of character for you?
3. How might you open yourself up to the work of the Spirit in your life this week?