Fire, tongues, rushing wind – the day of Pentecost was mysterious. The phenomena provoked the question, “What does this mean?” This is a question of faith. We are called to discern moves of the Spirit because not every spirit or sign is from the Holy Spirit. So, I have no issue with someone who is trying to prayerfully discern revival. I attended the prayer services at Lee University on three occasions. I posted my reflection on the first encounter on Facebook. I repeat it here:
So, I left my office to walk to the stone chapel to be revived. As I walked, I prayed, “Lord, help my unbelief.” As I walked up the steps into the chapel I prayed, “God, surprise me.” As I sat down I immediately encountered the presence of God… I began to quake and tingle deep in my body. I began to weep. I noticed my breathing change, deep breaths and with each breath I felt a cleansing, holy presence. The place is silent, a holy silence. Utter peace in my soul, refreshing, calm, no conflict. I began to pray in the Spirit quietly, deeply moved in my soul. Weeping and trembling. The silence is palpable. No noise. Rest. Beyond words… impossible to manufacture or imitate. Wow!
I returned two more times. Each time I encountered the profoundly deep presence of a Holy God. I found myself praying, “God, please don’t let anyone mess this up.”
I walked to the stone chapel this morning to pray. As I walked, I heard the sounds of sirens wailing which signified someone was in trouble. Each time I attended the prayer service I could not get away from the conflict and suffering outside. As I walked through the Lee campus I saw a blind student, and a student in a wheelchair. I have heard of healings in the revival. So, I wondered, “God, why don’t you heal them?”
God doesn’t heal everybody. I don’t know why. Everyone doesn’t desire to dwell in God’s presence. I don’t know why. I have many questions, and few answers. But this I know – God is present.
As I sat in the divine presence in the stone chapel I entered into an inexplicable peace. Heaven came down and I was lifted into the heavenlies. The sirens still wailed outside. Inside the stone chapel, utter silence. I found myself waiting for God to speak. In our world, wars are raging. In the presence of God, I found silence and peace. If this is heaven, then I want to be there.
This morning, I walked up the steps to the stone chapel to “enter in” one more time. The door was locked! After consultation and prayer, the leadership of the university has discontinued the meetings. In the past few days, I’ve heard rumors of people coming in and trying to hijack the meeting. Maybe, the leadership decided to protect the movement by locking the doors. If so, I agree. After all, the Upper Room could not contain the mighty rushing wind of the Spirit. The wind will blow!
So again, what does this mean? God is omnipresent. Even so, the omnipresent God tabernacles. Yahweh, the great I AM, tabernacled in the skin tent in the wilderness (Exodus 40:35). The eternal and omnipresent Word tabernacled in human flesh (John 1:14). The eternal and omnipresent Spirit tabernacled in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1ff). I believe we are witnessing the tabernacling of God and that God is calling us to enter into his holy presence.
“To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life” (Revelation 21:6 NLT).
