Yesterday I mentioned that during our worship service two weeks ago all the lights went off at the beginning of our first service. So here’s the rest of the story.

As soon as the lights went off, my husband and I left the auditorium. I went out because of my role as executive assistant to the senior pastor (who was out of town with our elders on a retreat) and my husband left the room because he works for our local electric company.

As soon as we walked out of the auditorium he knew it was an internal problem…I wasn’t as quick to figure it out. But the lobby area still had lights and it certainly was an internal problem.

Before I had the chance to head back into worship, I was asked to do something in the office and my husband and I went our separate ways. While in the office, the lights suddenly went out again. I fumbled around trying to find light. I wasn’t in my office (which has a window), so it was very dark.

The lights finally came back on and we were able to finish the task at hand and the rest of the morning went along without any problems.

Later I learned that when the auditorium lights went off, they somehow fell into a cycle that would have brought them back on much later in the day. The team of experts determined that if they didn’t shut the entire building down, the lights in the auditorium wouldn’t come on until it was too late.

So they shut it all down. When the switch was flipped, all the building lights were on.

I was reminded of the scene in Jurassic Park when they had to shut down their whole system in order for it to return to normal. Well, without the dinosaurs.

I was also reminded of the time period between Jesus’ ascension and when the Apostles received the Holy Spirit.

The Apostles had been with Jesus for three years. They had listened to His teaching. Seen the miracles He performed. They had been blessed and disciplined by Jesus. They had seen Him die on the cross and rise from the grave. They had also seen Him leave.

Jesus told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait. Jesus’ words were cryptic. He mentioned they would receive the promised gift from the Father and that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps this was a period of darkness for them, but not physical or even spiritual darkness. They simply didn’t have all the answers. They were in the dark about what was to come.

But when the lights came back on, everything suddenly became clear. They understood everything they had heard Jesus teach. They remembered every detail. They were able to speak in languages that they hadn’t studied. They became bold preachers of God’s message. When the Holy Spirit ascended upon them, they became great leaders of the Church of God.

I’m sure those who knew these men prior to the Gift wondered what had happened. Suddenly, this band of followers were confident in their message. They no longer questioned Jesus about His parables. They knew.

At the moment the Holy Spirit arrived and dwelt within these believers, the world changed. The Light was so bright on that day and has continued to shine throughout history.

When we follow Peter’s words in Acts 2:38 (NIV), we too are blessed to receive this same Gift. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

If you are living in darkness, today is the perfect day to let the Light in. Jesus will accept you just as you are. But the transformation He will make through the Holy Spirit will be remarkable. There is so much to see and learn within the Light. Why not take that step?

If you have received this great Light (the Holy Spirit), are you allowing Him to do His work within you? Are you being transformed each day? Do others see the Light within you? I pray that is the case.

I don’t care for darkness. I’d much rather be in the light. I’m thankful that when it comes to my spiritual life, I am living in the Light each day. Thank you Father for your Gift. Your Light. Your Holy Spirit.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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