Have you ever been amazed, totally astounded by something you couldn’t believe you had just seen it with your own eyes? Do you remember that feeling of amazement? How did you react? Were you overfilled with joy? Were you scared to death? Were you frozen in place?
Though it is not common, we can be so amazed that we are frozen, scared, and joyous all at the same time. On those rare occasions, we see something we will never forget. Those are often life-changing events. Things are just not quite the same after seeing something that amazing.
That is what happened on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came down from heaven and poured out over the disciples. There was the sound of a violent wind. It appeared as though tongues of fire hovered above each disciples’ head. Then they spoke in languages they had not previously known.
Those who saw it and heard it were amazed. They knew the disciples were from the region of Galilee. They also knew the disciples were not well-educated people. They were common people—fishermen, tax collectors, housewives, and day laborers. They were poor, living from day-to-day, often only eating based on what they earned that day.
We, too, can be amazed when we think about that day. We can sit in awe at the movement of the Holy Spirit. We can and should realize that we have been given the same Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit who enlightened the disciples on Pentecost can also enlighten us. Our part is to open ourselves up to him and allow him to work in and through us. Rather than try to explain it away with science, revel in the mystery of God.
I pray we all are amazed at what happened on Pentecost. I pray we welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives. I pray each one of us will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit as he works within us. Be amazed. Stand in awe. Accept the Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Be enlightened.
Acts 2:12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
Marty Pressey 