Nougat 31

Greetings dear

Today is celebrated as Pentecost – the harvest festival falling fifty days after the Passover. In the extended gospel message we recognize that there was an unconventional harvest after Jesus’ death and resurrection – it was a harvest of souls. The disciples were gathered; and, led by God’s Spirit, they helped others ‘get’ the Gospel message. Many grew in their faith that day.

The move of God’s Spirit didn’t begin with that Pentecost however. For, when we are open to God, there is place for God’s Spirit to move. Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to think about the invitation from God to each of us.

“The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.” Jeremiah‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I guess the takeaway from this is a clear message that God calls us and prepares us and sends us. Yet, with all that knowledge, most of us are still not saying yes to God. Why?

Is it the ‘fear’ of the unknown? There are so many other unknowns in our lives that we jump at, with no complaint, sometimes to our detriment. God is our Refuge, so even in the unknown, God’s got us and will keep us.

Is it experience? Good reason. There are so many critics who are very qualified at tearing us down (maybe including our own selves); and often they are not qualified to help us or lift us up. But God clearly promised to give us the right words, and God is qualified to direct us wherever and whenever God sends us.

Is It the ‘control’ factor? Well; that’s a very real consideration. For going according to God’s plan by God’s Spirit often feels like a serious roller coaster ride. Were we to be wholly truthful, we’d also recognize that we don’t have control over several factors in our lives. Some are little things, some are life-changing.

Is it the destination – are we fearful of being sent to our Nineveh? That’s a Tough one. A trip to Nineveh is almost guaranteed! The person who makes our lives miserable; the one person we’d rather Not forgive; the ones we fear; the ones we mistrust; and even the ones we mistreat.

But if we choose obedience, we might find that those Ninevites need the gospel of Jesus Christ – just as much as we do. And we might also find out that our blessing is actually in Nineveh.

First, we have to step out in faithful obedience. We have to yield ourselves to God’s Spirit. And that takes us back to the control issue and then some. For yielding to God implies that we recognize God’s authority, God’s love towards us individually and collectively. Yielding also understands that we are not our final point of reference. That we are accountable for our actions. Yielding also implies that we accept God’s love and wish to trust that God’s got us in return.

There would have been No Pentecost if the disciples opted to do their own thing; well – not the way it was experienced. God’s Spirit would have moved mightily elsewhere or through other folks. But Peter, Thomas, James, John and all the others got it – it really isn’t about one’s age, education, status, race or even one’s gender. Pentecost is truly about the desire to let God be God and acting upon the desire by flowing by God’s Spirit.

Blessed Pentecost to us all.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .