Just to be clear...

I struggled with the last post, wondering whether to include the 6^th paragraph. I nearly went back after posting to delete it, particularly the line "I have sensed that there are those who feel that we don't need the 'power' of the Spirit, as long as we have good theology, good seed." The thing is that I don't know anyone that would actually say this, but I sense it just the same. I think it's a matter of definition, of preconceived ideas, of assumptions. I have yet to speak to anyone about the 'power' of the Spirit, that doesn't have his/her own idea of what they think I am talking about. Some people seem to understand and we talk easily. With others I am left puzzled, sometimes grieved at what they think I mean. I seem to be unable to communicate, to these, what I actually mean. I find myself trying to retract what I said in order to back up from what they think I mean. Can't say that I blame them for not understanding, as, I find myself unable to describe it to my own satisfaction, let alone anyone else's. A friend of mine often says, "I know what I'm saying, but I don't know what you're hearing." In this case, I'm not entirely sure that I even know what I'm saying...

potential

A week ago Saturday I planted some seeds. I have hope for the future. While there is still snow on the ground, and icy winds blowing, I have faith that one day there will be an abundance of sunshine and warmth and hopefully rain! There will be growth, maturity, & beauty!

A week ago Sunday there was life! Tiny, tiny leaves pushing through the soil! I was amazed! OVERNIGHT! These crazy little seeds had been laying in a paper bag on a shelf for months, maybe even years. Many of them could easily have been mistaken for dust and tossed aside without any thought to the life they contained, to their immense potential! How does this happen? What changed? The seed, containing the life was met by, well, actually, immersed in water. That made all the difference! All the amazing potential of the seed lay dormant until empowered by the water!

The tiniest seed can contain the biggest tree, and yet, it can lay quiet, dormant for months... even years. It can be collected, carefully preserved, organized into categories, parcelled out, packaged up pretty, shared with a friend, or even sold.

The Word of God has been referred to as a seed. In it lies life! Enormous potential, promise, and hope! And yet, don't we find, we can collect it, preserve it, organize it into categories, parcel it out, package it up pretty, share it with a friend, even sometimes, sell it, and still see very little fruit? Or maybe, no fruit?

The Spirit of God has been referred to as a river... as water. Could it be that all the amazing potential of the Word lies dormant until it is met by, or rather, immersed in the Spirit?

Do we stockpile the Word and wonder why there's no life? No fruit? No beauty? Do we view the Spirit as a mystical force with no real purpose, or do we see him as the water of life that unlocks the potential of the seed? Do we see Him as 'optional'? For that matter, do we see either one as optional? As long as we have one... we're good? I have sensed that there are those who feel that we don't need the 'power' of the Spirit, as long as we have good theology, good seed. Is it any good to have one without the other? Do we have the Word... in dry paper bags?

There is one good thing about stockpiling! There is enormous potential!! If the water ever gets to it... there will be a big crop! Maybe... overnight!

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses..."