“Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.” Acts 2:43
Today’s offering is the fifth of six practices or disciplines lived out by the first followers of Jesus who modeled for us what a spirit-filled life can look like for us today.
These tried-and-true practices have stood the test of time. We see evidence of their rediscovery of God’s people throughout the ages and how they have been used by the Holy Spirit to transform us to be God’s Spirit-filled people who have in turn, transformed the world in which they lived!! I recently heard a quote that really challenged me…” Do I read the bible or pray the bible…do I attempt to master them or allow them to master me…” this spoke directly to my propensity to strive and prove myself competent and capable. In my attempts to “master” the bible, I can lose the sense of awe and wonder modelled by those first Spirit-filled followers of Jesus.
As we carefully and slowly read this passage once again, Acts 2:42-47 but looking and reflecting closely on
“Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs..”
I am drawn the fact that a deep sense of AWE came over them ALL… because of that sense of awe, they were able to accomplish many signs and wonders within the culture and society in which they lived...in fact as I sit in this passage, I find myself moved to a place of awe and wonder at all they were able to accomplish in the power of the Holy Spirit!! As I pause from the mundane rhythms of my hurried, fast paced world, I find the mental space and margin to be wowed by God once again. Just as David declared in
Psalm 65:8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
What about you? When was the last time you were deeply moved and experienced joy through a sense of genuine awe and wonder? Not a momentary, brief, fleeting feeling but rather a moment of deep and utter wonder: so significant that in that amazing moment and experience you had a major, miraculous experience of spiritual breakthrough and you were never the same. Your heart was truly transformed, you were encouraged in a way you never believed was possible, your resolve was strengthened. Perhaps a sweet, beautifully gentle memory comes to mind where for the first time in a long time you saw your world through the eyes of a wonder filled child, full of joy and beauty? Do you recall the hope that filled your heart, the courage to keep moving forward because of the knowing that your Beloved’s got this…. your Beloved’s got you…
This is the sense of awe and wonder Jesus invites us to. Just as those first believers in the early church became empowered by the Spirit of God and began to bring God’s Kingdom to earth, so too can we continue to bring His kingdom into the world in which we live. We can ask the Holy Spirit to awaken us to wonder all around us, to help us see signs of His Kingdom breaking into our families, our churches, our workplaces, our communities, our country bringing new life and great joy.
Oh, Holy Spirit, would you resurrect our hearts to your wonder, bringing life to those dead places within each of us. Help us to hold our hearts and minds open to you in those places of impossibility believing that only You can bring about healing and restoration through Your miraculous intervention. Help us to be seized by amazement like the followers described in Luke 5:26-28 “26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.” 27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him” so that we too can say yes to your invitation to follow You… discovering more than we could ever have dreamed or imagined knowing it will cost us everything and at times is messy, costly, and rarely easy but…as we are able to walk more deeply and fully with You, we are filled with a sense of Awe and Wonder, finding life in Your Presence, renewing the belief within each of us that You are still the miracle-working, life-transforming, freedom- giving God of the Bible both then and more importantly now.
Help us o Beloved lover of our souls to never lose our sense of awe and wonder… looking forward to Your return and the coming Banquet with You, our Beloved Bridegroom, where you have forever swallowed up death and every tear is wiped dry. Help us Father, to live each and every day to the absolute full, being true to You in every way. Loving as You have loved us. This Love, you have lavished on us in of itself, fills us with awe and wonder!! I am reminded of that beautiful old hymn by Charles Wesley, “Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!”
Be blessed, my fellow friends and may you be filled with a renewed sense of awe and wonder this day.
Fondly,
Melody
