Rabbits into Ferrets.

I remember as a boy the power schemes of the Waitaki Valley which were nearby to my home in Timaru in the South Island of New Zealand. At that point the lines were just beginning to spread their tentacles over the South Island of New Zealand and into the North. It was of great amazement to me and many others to see this sight of great pylons holding power lines of such great weight and swinging to such an extent. On our streets there are still some lines which are smaller but do a similar job.

Some of these pylons and poles have special transformers with signs which are made to put you off. Well, these signs put me off as a child, and I must admit still do. The signs say such things as, danger, high tension umpteen 1000 volts and often there are lightning signs. I don't and didn't understand all that this means or how it works or exactly what it is but I do know to keep clear. Otherwise I will get such a shock that I will never be the same again.

Such a shock or miracle began the early church.  There was a lot of power or high tension with great strength. This power was of the type that shocked people into change and still does change people today. Pentecost was the spiritual transformer. It changed people from chickens into hunting dogs or maybe from rabbits into hunting ferrets for those who remember such things.

There in the upper room we had a group of people who were down, who felt rubbish, who were scared. They were shaking with fright behind locked doors.  Fear was the main emotion especially as they might be rounded up and put into jail and killed or even crucified like Jesus. They were scared chickens or rabbits after the events that had taken place at Easter.

The Resurrection, Ascension and now Pentecost changed things. Now they were out in the street preaching, shouting, acting like drunken enthusiasts. They were full of joy, great happiness and totally believing.  They were no longer afraid to spread their joy and light around as we seem to be.  Today Christians seem to only able to make ourselves heard with cares, complaints and accusations. Today we only seem to be able to attack others in fear, especially those who may have engaged differently with God.

At Pentecost we remember the gift of this spirit, this new way in which God continues his work. God's gift of the Holy Spirit draws us to Christ giving us new life. It also teaches us as Christians and reminds us about the word of God. The Holy Spirit still gives us power and gifts as Christians to carry out our task of mission. This power is manifest as spiritual gifts for those who believe. So what are we doing to make use of these gifts God has given us.  

Also, for me the question arises as to whether as a Christian community we offer something unique to the world from the gifts God has given. Does our Christian community have something to offer that cannot be found in non-Christian groups? Is our community much the same as a soccer club or Rotary or Young farmers or similar groups?  Are we only different because we sing a few hymns and say a few prayers?

The Resurrection, Ascension and now Pentecost changed things. Now they were out in the street preaching, shouting, acting like drunken enthusiasts. They were full of joy, great happiness and totally believing.  They were no longer afraid to spread their joy and light around as we seem to be.  Today Christians seem to only able to make ourselves heard with cares, complaints and accusations. Today we only seem to be able to attack others in fear, especially those who may have engaged differently with God.