What Are We Doing?

This week, our Pastor reminded us from the story of Gideon that divine empowerment is meant to produce action. Pentecost is not just an emotional experience, but it is enablement. The power of the Holy Ghost is power to be who we are called to be, and then to do what we are called to do.

Gideon sometimes gets a bad reputation for hiding out, but given his circumstances, it’s commendable that he was doing anything at all. Anything except complete obscurity and inaction chanced the wrath of the enemy. And yet Gideon was busy doing the little that he could.

Perhaps it was that very characteristic (among others) for which God chose Gideon.

Spirit empowerment did not motivate Gideon to do something- he was doing that before. It enabled him to do far greater than he was capable of on his own.

The Spirit did not pull Gideon off the sidelines and get him invested in the work. The Spirit rested on a man who was already busy, and redirected his work to something far more meaningful.

Gideon on his own could thresh a handful of wheat to provide one meal; Gideon clothed in God’s Spirit led a nation to freedom.

Both are important. Gideon’s hidden labor on the threshing floor revealed his heart to just do something. God rewarded his desire with power to truly make a difference.

Today, as a church seeking a fresh outpouring of the Holy Ghost, may we not do it from the sidelines. May our hearts long to see lives and communities transformed in a way that only God can do. As one older saint once said, “You don’t need a semi truck to pull a tricycle out of the mud.” Why would God pour out the power of His Spirit on a people who intend to do nothing with it? But may we strive to make a difference right where we are, humbly recognizing that our own strength is not enough. And believing that God will empower us with His Spirit- which is always more than enough.