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From
the Cave of Self Pity into the Power of Pentecost
By
Pastor Teresa Tay
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold,
the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you
doing here, Elijah?" (1Ki
19:9)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind,
and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues
as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were
all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as
the Spirit gave them utterance.
(Act 2:1-4)
Many years ago I went through a time of burnout. For months I would attend
church but soon as the service ended I made a beeline to the exit just
happy to mind my own business. One day I heard the Lord asking me the
question, ‘Teresa, where are you?’ It did not cross my mind
then to what was said so I responded, ‘What do you mean by that,
Lord?’ I heard him said, ‘I have created you for a good purpose
but yet you have hidden yourself in your own cave of self pity. I like
you to come out of it and be the person I called you to be’. Then
I said, ‘Lord I have been there and have done that and at the end
of it all I was burnout, what more can I do?
Then the Holy Spirit led me to the period between of the time of Jesus’
death and onto the Day of Pentecost. Jesus disciples were filling both
sorrowful and fearful at the same time and also uncertainty why their
Messiah King was crucified and left them on their own. However, when Pentecost
Day came, everything suddenly changed. The power of the Holy Spirit came
upon the disciples and their eyes were opened and they understood why
Jesus had to die on the cross so that the whole world be restored to the
original purpose God had created mankind. From a state of hopelessness
they became fearless and passionate disciples of the risen Christ. They
became an unstoppable force for the cause of Christ. No amount of persecution
or hardship could stand in their way.
Power of Devotion
At the upper room on Pentecost Day when 120 disciples gathered to pray
a transformation had taken place. As I read the account of the early church
the word devotion stood out. When we are devoted to something we put our
heart and soul into it, we pursue it with passion. The disciples devoted
themselves to fellowship, prayer and teaching. As a result the Lord added
to their numbers daily and accompanied that with signs and wonders. None
of this would be possible without devotion for the cause.
Why do we do church? Church is a community of people inspired, equipped
and empowered by the Word of God through the living Holy Spirit for worship
expressed through good works. Every Christian is a transmitter of the
Good News, a transforming agent for all near and far. Therefore doing
church goes beyond being entertained like spectators but we ought to become
the participants in the acts of God not only on Sunday but 24/7. The experience
of utter devotion to the cause by early Church is just as relevant today
as it was then.
Now
to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the
church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever.
Eph 3:20-21
Our Response
Let us first allow the Lord to touch our hearts with His love and
compassion. After that we can express the same love and compassion for
others. He will enable us to do far more exceedingly and abundantly than
we could ever imagine.
The Lord
is asking, ‘My son, my daughter, where are you today? Perhaps you
are hiding because of sin and the fear of condemnation. Perhaps you are
hiding in shame because of the past mistakes and wrongs. Perhaps you are
feeling hurt, discouraged and even burnout. Have you hardened your heart
and walked away from God? And possibly you may be quite contented with
living and to mind your own business thinking that you can do without
the hassle and bustle that devotion to a cause may bring.
Whatever the reasons, I hear the Lord says, "Today, if you hear my
voice,
do not harden your hearts in rebellion.” Let there be no hesitation
in our heart today! Jesus is waiting for us to come forward and say, ‘Here
I am Lord’. Pray with me, “Lord, I have sinned against heaven
and before you, please forgive me. Be my Savior and my Lord that I may
live this life anew with You. Amen.”.
read Adam, Where Are You?
read other
articles by Teresa Tay