Heed the Spirit’s Call
It was 4:30 in the dark of Easter morning. Our 20-lb. guard dog who normally camps out in our living room was sitting in the floor of our bedroom, shaking like a leaf. Storms were blowing in, and the sound of the wind channeled through our fireplace was enough to drive Super Dog from his station on the couch to the safety and comfort of Mama’s room. He had high hopes of being welcomed onto the bed, and who could disappoint a loyal pup shivering in the floor?
A couple of hours later, I leaned against the kitchen counter, enjoying a cup of coffee and the view of spring’s first roses blooming in the backyard. Tufts of snowy white clouds quickly drifted across the sky, giving evidence to the power of the wind.
“Appropriate weather for a Resurrection Sunday,” I mused. John 3:8 came to mind. In a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, Jesus had said, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
On a day celebrating the resurrection of the Lord, the Holy Spirit of God now races wildly over the face of the earth, breathing new life into hearts desperate for salvation – just as He’s done for more than 2,000 years.
With that salvation comes a sensitivity to the Spirit’s teachings, convictions, wisdom, and warnings. One of the cautions given to those who walk in new life in Christ is found in 1 Peter 5:8: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Resurrection Sunday highlights the work of Jesus as the victorious Lamb of God – crushing sin and death by the power of the Holy Spirit.
But the narrative of the angels immediately following Christ’s ascension tells us of His return in Acts 1:11: “‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, Who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.’”
And when Jesus does return, it will be as the “Greater Lion” – the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He’ll judge the enemy and all evil, wickedness, and injustice brought about by his activity here on earth. When that defeat is accomplished, He’ll set up rule and reign for His Spirit-filled children in their eternal home, enjoying the wonders of the new heaven and the new earth.
So the next time the trees dance in the breeze or the clouds glide through the sky, pray for the ones the Spirit is on His way to rescue. The Day of the Greater Lion advances, and only those who heed the calling of the Spirit will be found safe.
