Recognizing Our Gifts

So here we are – gathered in this “new to us” space where we will be for worship this summer.

For the next few minutes, I invite you into a piece of faith imagination. This is a means by which we can experience the scripture, and based on the gifts we have been given, learn something about ourselves or about the Holy Spirit through it. So, I ask that you participate.

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they all met in one room.” – Acts 2:1

Close your eyes and imagine the room. What does it look like? What details do you see? The disciples were there but so were many other people That you do not yet know. Where do you choose to stand within the room? By whom? Look at the others. There were:

“Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and those who have become Jewish, those from Greek and Arab areas.” – Acts 2:9-10

How do you feel in this group? They are all speaking in their own languages, and although you are fluent in a few languages, you cannot understand much being said. Draw your attention to your body. What do you notice?

“Suddenly they heard what sounded like a violent, rushing wind from heaven; The noise filled the entire house in which they were sitting.” – Acts 2:2

Now that the wind has rushed passed you. What do you notice within yourself? Look at the others around you. What do you see?

“Something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each one.” – Acts 2:3

Look at the flames above each person’s head. How are you feeling? Scared? Intrigued? Overwhelmed? Excited?

“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as she enabled them.” – Acts 2:4

Suddenly you can understand everything being said around you! Where you felt left out of conversations and wondered what was being said, now you know what they’re saying. How do you feel? What are you thinking? What has happened in this space? How did the Holy Spirit blowing through and becoming like flames over each person affect you? Are you anxious? Questioning? Amazed? Confused? Frightened? Look at the people around you. How are they reacting? Do they feel like you do?

Suddenly, the one they call Peter stood up and said,

“Women and men of Judea, and all you who live in Jerusalem! Listen to what I have to say! These people are not drunk as you think – It is only nine o’clock in the morning! No, its what Joel the prophet spoke of: ‘In the days to come – it is our God who speaks – I will pour out my Spirit on all humankind. Your daughters and sons will prophesy, Your young people will see visions, and your elders will dream dreams.” – Acts 14-17

What are you thinking? How do you feel? Are you one of the ones seeing visions or dreaming dreams? Pause and allow the Holy Spirit who is with you Speak to you. What do they say?

Since this is how your day just started, What do you want to do next?

May it be so. Amen.
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