1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.”
In the mid-1990s, I paid my first ever visit to the famous London church, Holy Trinity Brompton, for their winter carol service, which was held in the dark with atmospheric candles lending great intimacy and ambience. The Holy Spirit was doing extraordinary things apparently, and even the secular press was reporting on it. Not one prone to manifestations of the Spirit, I went there nevertheless open to the Lord doing whatever he might choose to do in me. I hadn’t been there long when I felt a warm glow on the back of my head. I kept my eyes shut and continued worshipping. But the warmth of the glow was undeniable – in fact it increased, and I thought I could feel a gentle pitter-patter all over my back. “God, what’s happening?” It got hotter and hotter. “God! If this is you, have your way in my life. Oh, I love you. I surrender all. Make me holy, and more useful, I’ll do anything, go anywhere for you!” After about a minute of such praying, the heat became unbearable – it was positively burning me. I opened my eyes and looked up, and there three feet above me was a chandelier gushing forth wax from a weeping candle!!!
I think God was having a good-natured chuckle at my expense back then. But joking aside, we all know that the Holy Spirit – His nature, role and influence – are understood and expressed in radically different ways. Wherever you’re coming from on the theological spectrum, Paul’s words above are instructive to us. God is much bigger than we often allow him to be. Let’s not limit him, but be open to whatever he might want to do, however he might want to do it – without losing our sense of discernment.
Lord, I choose to be open and obedient to you today. Amen!
PS I interview former HTB Vicar Nicky Gumbel on the podcast – check it out here.
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