Surrendering to the Spirit

As we read the second chapter of Acts with an eye toward spiritual empowerment we see not only the value of a high view of Jesus, but also a willingness to embrace the work and presence of the Holy Spirit with a whatever spirit.  The disciples certainly had no idea that what happened in their Jerusalem meeting room would happen.  They were there because Jesus said to wait for the promise of the Father so they started gathering in a spirit of waiting and prayer.  Whatever the Spirit would do, they would embrace.    

It is not always easy for us to wait anticipating whatever God might want to do in our lives, or in the church which is a part of our lives.  If waiting is hard for us an individual, how much harder it is for a body of individuals to wait.  Actually, the church has taught us many things about living this life of faith in Christ.  We have learned about worship, spiritual disciplines, and sound doctrine, but the church has not always invited us, or encouraged us to wait on the Holy Spirit to come with power in our midst.  

What we see in the early words of Acts is a word which tells us that the Holy Spirit is ready to come into our midst in a powerful and life changing way.  He came into their midst in such a way as to underscore that His coming is not about our agenda, or needs, but about the desire of the Spirit to raise up a people intent on nothing but being about the will of God.  Surrendering to that purpose usurps anything else, or we have not created a space fit for the Spirit to do His thing.