And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?” (ESV)

When the early Christians received Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they experienced two very powerful demonstrations of the indwelling of the Spirit – a sound like a mighty, rushing wind and tongues of fire resting on each of them. As I try to picture what this might have been like, I imagine the mighty sound of a tornado.  

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Have you ever experienced a tornado? One of the most striking things about them is the noise they make. As they come near, they literally sound like a freight train. So much power and such a loud, roaring blast.  

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On the day of Pentecost, our Christian ancestors heard a loud, rushing wind from heaven, and I can only imagine the awe and fear they might have felt. I picture the power of a tornado – but in sound alone. The sheer force of the sound would drive me to my knees. But not only did they have the roaring sound, our verse today also tells us divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.  

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Historically, God had often used fire to showcase his power and presence – in the sacrifices they made and in their wanderings in the desert. Remember that God guided them by night with fire. (see Exodus 13). So, when these believers heard the wind and saw the fire, they would have been reminded of how God showed his presence to their forefathers.  

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And yet, we see that many in the crowd mocking them and doubting what just happened. Some of them were fearful; some just thought it was all fake, accusing the disciples of being drunk (Acts 2:13).  I imagine others didn’t want to stand out and be among those mocked, so perhaps they just slinked away.

Isn’t that very much like how some react even now to Holy Spirit? Some are scared of Holy Spirit, some presume the power to be fake, and still others want to just hide the power and blend in with the world.  

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And I admit, I’ve felt all of those things regarding Holy Spirit. I was scared to embrace his power, not wanting to stand out to those around me, and even questioned those who spoke of being empowered by Holy Spirit. And if I heard a roar of wind but felt no wind and saw tongues as of fire dividing and sitting on each of my friends, I’d probably run screaming like a little girl. It’s weird, it’s powerful, it’s scary.  

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But as I work through my discomfort with Holy Spirit, I turn to his Word and find some answers on how to move forward.  

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First, I know that Holy Spirit is one part of our Triune God and has been there since the beginning. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:1-2). Holy Spirit is not something new and weird, he’s been with us since the beginning of time.  

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Second, we have the Spirit as a helper, and he lives in us. Because of that, we automatically stand out – whether the Spirit outwardly demonstrates his power or not. So, I want to embrace that and know that he will equip me. John 14:16-17 says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” Holy Spirit is full of power and might, and simply by residing in us, we also have that power.  

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Lastly, I’ve heard and seen too many “coincidences” to NOT believe Holy Spirit still moves and heals and acts to empower and embolden us. When you see someone ask for prayer to be healed and then they are; when you see all of the right circumstances, people, and time line up to ensure an otherwise impossible outcome; and when you see people step out in obedience to what God calls them to do even when it makes zero sense to the world, you begin to believe in and search for his power. The more you look for it, the more you will see it – because Holy Spirit still moves! He’s not scary – he’s a gift straight from God.  

Holy Spirit, fill us. We seek you and search for all you have for us. Let us stand in confidence – even when it feels weird, scary, or makes us stand out from the world. Help us to embrace all that you have for us. Help us to give you all that we are. In the powerful and loving name of Jesus ~ AMEN!