I just finished reading Acts chapter 1 and part of chapter 2, the story of The Day of Pentecost. Oh what it must have been like to be so filled with the Holy Spirit that you began to speak in a language that was completely foreign to you. How amazing that a gathering of people from many nations could hear the message in their own tongue, even though the individuals speaking were not of their land and had never previously spoken their language. I have been in situations where I have felt the move of the Holy Spirit. I hold no doubt that I have been influenced by the Holy Spirit. I can remember times when I felt moved to do things that I, at the time, could not explain. I believe this was the influence of the Holy Spirit. I have also been on the receiving end of the Spirits work. I distinctly remember one day while working as the charge nurse in a busy ER. A woman that I had worked with for a short time came up to me as I struggled emotionally and simply said, “Be encouraged.” At that moment I felt as if a huge weight was lifted form me. I later asked her about this and she said that she didn’t know why but that she felt lead to say these words to me. I believe that even as the Holy Spirit lead the people on The Day of Pentecost to speak in languages that they had never spoken, the Holy Spirit spoke to this woman and lead her to give these simple yet encouraging words to me. Even with these experiences I can’t help but think how glorious it would have been to present on that day, and even more so to be one of the ones filled with the Spirit at that moment.

I have never experienced the Holy Spirit as they did on that day. However, I have experienced Him, and I do believe that He continues to work today. Sometimes it may be something as simple as you finding yourself thinking of someone that you haven’t thought about in a while. Or perhaps you just can’t stop thinking about a particular person, no matter how hard you may try. Maybe the sight of an individual fills you with such concern that you are nearly knocked to your knees.

I had that last experience just a few weeks ago, and I can explain it no other way then as the work of the Holy Spirit. While I lead worship one Sunday morning, a certain member of our church walked in the back of the building. The moment I saw her I was struck by this need to speak to her and to pray for her. Through out the remainder of the service I could not stop thinking about this woman. I even mentioned it to my wife as the pastor gave the message. So, after the service I tracked her down. I wasn’t sure what to say and I was a bit nervous, but I had to speak to her. Frantically I searched through the throng of people as one service exited and another prepared to enter. Finally I tracked her down. Feeling very awkward I asked her how she was doing. She gave the usual answer, “I’m fine.” I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew that there was more to the story, so I kept on. I asked her if she was sure and went on to explain how God had placed her very heavily on my heart the moment she had walked into the building. She then admitted to me that all was not as well as she had said. Sensing that she was a bit uncomfortable with where this conversation was going, I did not dig any further. I simply let her know that I loved her, that I was thinking about her, and that I would be praying for her. That was 4 or 5 weeks ago. This past Saturday this woman’s 10 year old daughter died. I didn’t know when I approached her that Sunday morning that her child was going to die so soon, but God did. I firmly believe that I was being influenced by the Holy Spirit that morning and that I was providing encouragement that she needed at the time. I also believe that that encouragement was, in some small way, preparation for what was to come.

Certainly these stories pale in comparison to the lives that were touched on The Day of Pentecost. However, I believe that when we allow ourselves to be influenced by the Holy Spirit we can have just as much impact as they had on that day, even if it is sometimes on a smaller scale. So, when you find yourself thinking of that old friend, contact them. When you find yourself unable to stop thinking about someone one; pray for them. And if you find yourself with an undeniable need to pray for someone, pray for them. I can only hope that when I am in need of encouragement, or prayer that someone out there listens to the influence of the Holy Spirit and takes some action.

Matt N.