It’s funny how God works. Just a week before we left Thailand, I was inspired to read and learn
more about the 2nd baptism or the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Nowhere in my conservative background going
to a United Methodist church and a Wesleyan Univ. did we ever discuss a 2nd
baptism, or if we did it was just mentioned as something “those” pentacostals”
did and we moved on or changed subjects. So for whatever reason, (God’s intervention) I started thinking about
the topic and asking questions.
Move on to a week later, we say our good byes to our friends
and Thailand and have our 5 month debrief with the whole S squad in Hua Hin,
Thailand. During debrief Michael Hindes
and a few other staff visit us and share what the Spirit was leading them to share. During one morning session, Michael starts talking about the gifts of the
spirit and the empowerment that comes from receiving Him. Once again funny how God seems to move and
arrange things for them to make sense. So as the story continues,
Michael asks for anyone who wants to go deeper into seeking God to stand up and
make a confession and ask the Spirit to enter oneself. After thinking about the events leading up
and making up my mind I took a determined stand. Ask the Spirit to enter me and to empower me
and awaken all the giftings that He has in store for me.
Fast forward to the afternoon a group of us wanted to go and
ride elephants before we left Thailand, so one of my squadmates arranged with
the hotel to schedule a van to take us to a place that lets you ride
elephants. When we arrived, we paired
off and hopped on the elephants with our lovely “drivers”. I was so fortunate to be paired with Jimmy
McCarty, a staff member at AIM and old reconnected friend from YouthWorks. During our ride we discussed what went on
that morning and stuff that has been happening in my life. It was during this ride that I felt inspired
to share what I was thinking about the church in America and what God was
teaching me about the Spirit.
Now 6 weeks after the event, I still feel the same as when I
first made the video while riding the elephant. I feel the majority of the church in the states is weakened because we
have turned away from the Work of the Spirit and have turned to our own
strength in studying the word and making all sorts of different theologies to
which we hold to with all the might we can muster up. When we let go of ourselves and ask the
Spirit to take the lead and offer ourselves to be obedient to His
calling/leading, we will be surprised to see the divorce rate fall, alcoholism and
drug abuse come to a halt and lives turned from just getting by to living a
life to its fullest because God wants us to live it that way. If we can truly let go of all that we hold on
to and allow the God of the universe to take control, our lives will never look
the same again…this I promise.
