Empowering

     In the long row of freshly waxed muscle cars parked at the McDonald’s near the entrance to South Park sat Greg Bielski’s 1974 Ford Maverick. Its multicolored primer pattern was a sight for the eyes. The seats were a bit ratty, the windows were dirty, and the dashboard was cracked. In the line of vintage rebuilt Corvettes, Camaro’s, and Chevelles it wasn’t much to look at. However, when he turned the key all heads turned. I do not recall what was under the hood but I do not recall him ever losing a race on Corrigan Drive, the local spot to release your testosterone.


     Although the other cars looked far superior, I learned that day it was not the spit shine and polish that won the race; that delivered the goods. It was what the car had underneath the hood that made the difference.


     The early church was not much to look at. It was some fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and some others we know little about. We know from the book of Acts they were uneducated (Acts 4:13). But we see they had something under the hood that when the key was turned all heads were turned. The day of Pentecost they were indwelt by the Holy Spirit and the power was obvious.


     We too have that same power and while we may not be much to look at, when we operate by the power of the Spirit there is not a race we cannot win. However, too often we never turn the key. The Spirit indwells but the car is in park or idling up the road. God is calling us to partake of the power and operate in the full power of the Holy Spirit just as the early church did. And when we do there is nothing that can stop His church from prevailing on our community.


     Take time this morning to listen to the power that indwells you and surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit that you may be empowered and be His witness wherever your day takes you.


Pastor Rob