“Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me./ Melt me; mold me; fill me; use me.” The words of this simple hymn (Glory to God, #288) are often my prayer before I step into the pulpit to preach a prophetic word, or step into action that requires more talent than I feel like I possess. I pray this prayer like the athlete’s pre-game hype speech, sometimes even dancing around like a boxer before the fight. I need this prayer. I need this reminder that God’s got me and the Holy Spirit can make good use of me — even though my anxiety is spiking and my self-doubt threatening a takeover. Like those first disciples on the day of Pentecost, God is constantly calling us to new and uncharted territory. Fifty days after Passover, Jews from every nation gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks, commemorating the harvest and “the first fruits of your labor” (Exodus 23:16). This festival scene in Acts 2 is transformed by the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit, with the sound of a violent, rushing wind and tongues of fire lapping the air. Jesus told them this would happen, saying, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). But who could really be prepared for such a miracle? Such a transformation? The miracle of Pentecost includes the Holy Spirit giving people from “every nation under heaven” the ability to speak new languages, to hear and understand each other. Unity amidst diversity was discovered — a transformation so profound, some cast it as unbelievable, dismissing those blessed as a bunch of crazy drunks. When Peter (now there’s a transformation story) stands up to recite the words of Joel, he emphasizes how the Spirit gives ordinary people (“all flesh”) extraordinary abilities: prophesy, visions, divine dreams (Acts 2:17). Fear and self-doubt too often hold us back from all God’s Spirit can accomplish through us. I wonder what would change if we trusted the Spirit’s power to transform? Disillusionment is easy — mourning the church’s decline, growing frustrated over our failure to create positive change, losing hope in the face of overwhelming problems. But what would you try if you believed the Spirit would fill you, giving you the ability you’d need for the work to which God calls? .... Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. | 
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