If you would’ve met me my first year of college (or even in high school for that matter) the title of this blog would make perfect sense; however, coming from a Christian, this may sound confusing and somewhat heretical. I want to take a moment and just review some of the common symptoms of having a few too many. You may experience things like elated happiness, a confidence boost, seeing things that aren't really there, and possibly throwing up. I know this list is short, but it’s these very symptoms that have led me to the conclusion that I want to get drunk.
In Ephesians 5:18 it says, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Ok, so now maybe you see where I am headed with this, don't get drunk on alcohol but instead be filled with the spirit! If you’re like me, you may have grown up in a church which talked about the Holy Spirit but ignored the importance of living by that Spirit day to day; and even more so, ignored the importance of being filled with that Spirit.
Over the past few weeks, God has brought me to a place where I am thirsty for the Spirit. Through brokenness and frustration, I can now see the importance of relying on the Spirit to empower every area of my life. Things which used to make my heart uncomfortable such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, miracles, and hearing the voice of God are now the very things I find my soul seeking. Its not that I just want to see the miraculous and supernatural; I just desire to be what God made me to be, a temple of the Holy Spirit.
I am convinced that the Holy Spirit is like the gasoline in our cars. Without Him we won’t go anywhere. The Spirit minsters to us in all areas of our lives; He is an Encourager, a Teacher, a Comforter, and so much more. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Is your life full of these things? To be honest, most days, mine isn't. Most days I choose striving and trying to work these things up in my life when God is simply holding out a glass and saying “have your fill.”
In order to get drunk we have to drink. I know that last sentence is simple, but it is also profound; are we drinking deeply of the Spirit, or just sipping slowly? Are we asking to be filled? We don't have because we don't ask. Remember the symptoms from above? Let’s compare those to the Spirit. When we drink of the Spirit we will have more than fleeting happiness. We’ll have joy and the confidence to proclaim Jesus as Lord. We’ll begin to hear and see the unseen, and if we drink enough we will throw up the power of the Spirit over all those in our realm of influence!
I don't know what its going to look like but I want to get drunk. I don't want to do and see the things that I can do in the natural. I want to look to the unseen and trust God to do what only He can do. Will you join me in this spiritual party? We were made to be filled. In fact, God said that rivers of life will flow out of our very hearts. I will leave you with the words of Jesus to His disciples after his resurrection:
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
John 20:21-23
We got to have some great times of worship with our whole squad at our month 4 debrief.
