“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
- Acts 2:4 ESV
I was sitting on the porch watching my human drink coffee and read his Bible. I was also watching a squirrel that apparently hadn’t read the memo about staying out of my yard.
I don’t know much about the Holy Spirit, but I know power. I can pull a grown man halfway across the yard when I spot a rabbit. Give me a good scent, and I’m off to the races.
But my human was reading about a power far greater than anything I’ve ever put on a leash.
In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples with the sound of a mighty rushing wind and tongues as of fire. People from all over heard the mighty works of God proclaimed in their own languages. That’ll get your attention quicker than a squirrel on the porch!
Peter, the same guy who denied Jesus, stood up and boldly proclaimed the Gospel. Three thousand people received his message and were baptized.
What changed?
Peter didn’t become a superhero. The Holy Spirit empowered him to do what he couldn’t accomplish in his own strength.
That got me thinking about three lessons from Pentecost.
First, depend on God’s power.
The disciples received what God promised. We spend too much time trying to do God’s work with our own strength and good intentions. The Christian life was never meant to be lived on our power alone. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us, strengthen us, and help us obey.
Second, declare God’s glory.
Peter didn’t preach to build his reputation. He pointed people to Jesus—crucified, risen, and Lord.
Our lives ought to point beyond ourselves to the One who saved us. Whether we’re working, helping a neighbor, or sitting on the porch with coffee, we have opportunities to make Jesus known.
Third, expect God to work.
Peter preached, hearts were pierced, people repented, and lives changed. The same God who worked through those disciples can work through ordinary people today.
God may not work on our schedule or as we expect, but we can trust Him to accomplish His purposes as we faithfully follow Him.
Now, I still can’t catch that squirrel. But I’m learning that victory doesn’t come from trying harder. It comes from depending on the right power.
The Holy Spirit isn’t limited by our weakness, past failures, or fear of what others think. God calls us to be faithful, speak the truth about Jesus, and trust Him with the results.
So, are we depending on God’s power, declaring His glory, and expecting Him to work? Or are we just sitting on the porch talking about what God used to do?
We can’t control the wind, but we can trust the One who sends it. When God moves, ordinary people become part of an extraordinary story.
Let’s stop relying on our own strength. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us live faithfully, speak boldly about Jesus, and trust God with the results.
Prayer: Lord, help me depend on Your power, declare Your glory, and trust You to work through me. Fill me with Your Spirit and make me faithful to Jesus. Amen.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
