Acts 2:1-6

Jim Lowe considers the importance of remaining excited about God and the adventure he holds

Jim Lowe

It has been a time of anticipation and excitement in the Lowe household. We are expecting our second child. It means I have got to start learning how to change a nappy again; learn to live without sleep and be prepared to change my clothes a few times a day. There has been a lot to get ready for our new baby: we have moved our daughter into her new room; fetched the baby clothes out of the loft; prepared the cot and Naomi, my wife, has packed her bag ready to go into hospital at any time.

In the midst of all this excitement, it made me think: how excited am I about the things of God?

When I became a Christian, I was excited about the amazing plans God had for me. I was so excited about the fact that God loved me and wanted to be a part of everyone's life. I would want to tell anyone who gave me the chance about Jesus. I even kept the Christian t-shirt industry in business. Cringy I know, but I was so excited about God and full of anticipation for the great things he was going to do.

Around this time of year we celebrate Pentecost. Pentecost is a time for anticipation and excitement for what God is going to do. You see, after Jesus had died, come back to life and spent 40 days on earth with his followers, he ascended to heaven. His disciples knew the great plans that he had for them to spread the incredible news of God's love and sacrifice.

But even though they knew this, I get a sense that the excitement that they felt when they were with Jesus on earth was maybe running a little low. They'd gone from seeing Jesus heal people, feed thousands with two fish and five loaves of bread and even saw him be killed and come back to life - pretty exciting stuff. But now things were getting a little low. Nevertheless, they still met together to pray and encourage each other.

This how the Bible describes the first Pentecost:

'On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.' Acts 2:1-6

After the disciples experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, they went out onto the streets and shared the good news about Jesus. Three thousand people became Christians that day. I wouldn't mind seeing this happen today.

When the Holy Spirit's power impacts our lives, it's incredible what happens. It can take us from a place normal place, to an incredible place, both spiritually and physically.

I believe that God has an exciting future for us as Christians and for the universal Church, but to get to that future, we need the power of Holy Spirit. My prayer is that we experience the Holy Spirit more powerfully this Pentecost than we have ever before.

I would encourage you to seek the Holy Spirit with expectation and anticipation. Prepare your hearts for what God is going to do by spending time praying, reading your Bible and listening to God.

My older daughter, Sophia, is nearly three and I felt the same excitement about her as I do the new baby. But I often found that life would get so busy that sometimes I could take Sophia for granted. I've had to learn to slow down, get rid of the smart phone and laptop for a few hours and enjoy being with her and developing that relationship with her. It's the same with the Holy Spirit: sometimes we are so busy and distracted that we forget the power, the excitement and adventure that he holds.

So be excited and be expectant for the new things the Holy Spirit is going to do.