Acts

Acts. I love this word! It can range in meaning from a law or statue, to a part of play or job. The meaning I normally think of is for the singular version of the word: the process of doing or performing something. And as we come upon the season of Pentecost, what better place to look this month then the Book of Acts?!

Imagine this: you are peacefully going about your day, when all of a sudden an unexpected loud sound descends upon you from nowhere! It sounds like a very powerful wind, but you don’t feel anything. People all around you begin speaking in languages that they don’t even know. And they’re not just swapping recipes or casually conversing about the weather, but they are talking about God! (Acts 2)

If you were witnessing this, what would you think was going on? Would you be one of those who in wonder and awe asking, “How can this be?” Or, would you mock what was happening and say that, “They have had too much wine?"

It is often too easy to dismiss what we do not understand and make fun of it and go on with our day then to take time out of our busy lives to seek meaning. It’s true that we often find ourselves scurrying about, feeling like a chicken with it’s head cut off just trying to get through our day. What with school/work, families, housework, appointments, friends, hobbies, preparing meals, etc...there just doesn’t seem to ever be enough time.

Honestly, how can one be expected to seek out meaning and understanding for things that frankly, seem just a little out there and far-fetched? I mean, come on! People all of a sudden speaking in languages they never knew before? And not just one or two, but many! It’s a little late for April Fool’s isn’t it?

I hear and see people go through these kind of rationals and reasoning for all sorts of things in life and in the Bible. Sacrificing trying to find meaning themselves for what is easier to understand or fits better into our schedules. And really, who can be blamed for that? But the point that most often gets forgotten, is that as Christians how we can live moment to moment without this understanding and quest? If you are to be Christ followers and seek Him at every turn and in everyone (including ourselves) how can we accomplish this if we never seek? How can we do this if we don’t continue to read and further our understanding of the written Word if we never read it, study it, question it and ultimately live it?

All over the world during Pentecost religions remember and celebrate this miracle of the Holy Spirit descending upon the crowd and bestowing upon some the ability to speak in tongues. In Italy, this term is Pascha rosatum, or fiery tongues, and is remembered by the scattering of rose pedals from the church ceiling. In England, trumpets are sounded to symbolize the sound that was heard when the Holy Spirit came down.

Even in paintings, drawings and in stained glass you see a dove and fire to symbolize Pentecost. Why a dove and fire? The Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove because that’s the form the Bible says He took when Jesus was baptized. The fire is because of the fiery tongue. Was it really on fire like in the Dairy Queen commercial where they eat a spicy sandwich and flames shoot out of their mouths? Of course not. But then when we say that someone is on fire for God, we don’t literally mean that they are engulfed in flames. At least, I hope not. No, we typically mean that they are passionate and can’t stop spreading the Word.

This Pentecost season, what will be your act? Will you share the Word of God? Will you join a discussion group, ask questions and delve deeper into the meaning of the Word? Will you encourage someone else to do the same? Words are never enough, it is through our actions that people really see how we feel about something. What will your actions say about you this season; in this life? What will they say about the God we serve? For we are the Living Ambassadors of God 24/7, 365. And we must never forget to act accordingly. We must never forget to act.

May God bless you all the days of your life.