Going into the World Race I had never really heard a lot about the gifts of the Spirit or the manifestations of the Spirit. Growing up Episcoplian and Methodist you really don’t ever hear a sermon preached on going out and healing people or speaking prohecies over people. I’ve read the Bible numerous times but just didn’t read it believing the things written were all applicable now.
I guess I had always just skimmed over the part where its says…
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, 5 and there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord, 6 and there are varieties of activities, but the same God, who works all things in all people. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is beneficial to all. 8 For to one is given a word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another a word of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues. 11 But in all these things one and the same Spirit is at work, distributing to each one individually just as he wishes.”
I think I also skimmed over the part where Jesus told of the Holy Spirit coming or the Advocate and that we will do much more than he did with the power of the Spirit.
John 14:11-14
” 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if not, believe because of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in me, the works that I am doing he will do also, and he will do greater works than these because I am going to the Father. 13 And whatever you ask in my name, I will do this, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. “
I had never heard people in the church talk about casting out demons or spiritual warfare or the holy spirit manifesting in laughter or dancing or yelling. I had always heard of speaking in tongues but thought that was just strange and really questioned if people really do it or if it was for show.
When I went to training camp and heard about all these things and saw a lot of them going on at the same time and I was royally freaked out. That was my phrase for the next couple months and even the first couple months on the race.
IT FREAKS ME OUT!
I didn’t really trust or believe that anything was really happening. People just want to seem more spiritual or they want God to show up in some weird way.
My team prayed for healing a lot in my first few months and Ialways prayed for that person to be healed. Truly I wanted them to feel better but I didn’t always feel like I believed these sorts of things happen through me, in the 21 st century. A woman was healed of arthritis and a leg healed of chronic pain. My squadmates have testimonies of how they have seen people healed and spirits cast out.
Well, I am Thomas, a doubter, rationalizer, and I need to see and feel for myself.
I had seen the Holy Spirit manifest in laughter and I had seen people speaking in tongues. But I had never felt anything but the full body chills I have felt a lot of my life when I feel close to God.
Then it happened.
At our debrief in Thailand, our mentors said We are going to baptize in the Holy Spirit tonight. You just need to ask the Lord for these gifts. Fully believe the Holy Spirit lives in you. I sat firmly in my seat and thought “NOPE” I don’t want that now maybe some other day. But as I sat there singing “Let it rain Let it rain Open the flood gates of heaven” I saw people fall over in the Holy Spirit. Everyone! Guess what? I wasn’t freaked out. I just smiled and kept singing. As my smile got bigger, the fears and doubt kind of faded and I found myself standing up waiting to be prayed over.
My coaches Jomama and Papa Gary knew my doubts in the past and came quick.
They knew I was ready. Jomama grabbed me and said “you aren’t going to change you are who you are and that wont change. “
I had been so scared of the Holy Spirit and God and how I would “change.” But now it didn’t matter if I did or not. I was ready for whatever God had for me. Papa Gary asked me if I believed in God and the Holy Spirit and if I believed God loved me and that I was his daughter. And I said yes and received the Holy Spirit. All I know is I didn’t fall flat on my back like I fainted or anything but I slowly went limp and my squad mates laid me down.
Peace. Unbelievable peace.
Then the giggles started. Like a night with your girlfriends and you can’t stop. You don’t even know why you are laughing. I could stop by why would I want to , it felt good and free and joyful. It wasn’t scary. God isn’t scary. Every gift from God is good.
That’s what the gifts of the Spirit are….gifts. Wisdom, visions, prophecy, speaking in tongues, healing etc.. They aren’t weird they are gifts.
And Jesus said we would do more than him with his Spirit living inside of us.
I am still trying to process it and I will admit I kinda acted like nothing happened afterwards ha.
It left me wondering whats next? Stay tuned for another update…
The Holy Spirit is for real and moving all the time.
Blessings,
Jennie
