I heard a story once about a man who liked a particular beverage made with fermented grapes. He liked its smell. He liked its taste. He liked the way it felt on his tongue. He liked everything about it. Deciding to brew some himself, he got a recipe and got to work. He bottled his concoction and placed them in a storage shed. A few days later he and his family were startled awake by a loud noise. The man opened the storeroom door, sure that he was about to confront an intruder. It was no intruder, but instead the bottles had exploded. The man had filled the bottles a little too full and capped them too tight.
On Pentecost, exploding wine bottles might not seem the best way to celebrate the birth of the church. But really, the comparison fits. Jesus' apostles were filled with the spirit so much that some said they'd had too much wine, or were filled with a new wine. The Holy Spirit was within them and bubbling out, filling the streets of Jerusalem, and to the ends of the earth. Like the bottles, the apostles were exploding with the spirit. The new wine of the
spirit filled them.
Pentecost as it is described in Acts seems like such an ancient thing, but when we see it that way, it becomes easy to just go through the motions of faith and forget about our gifts. Perhaps this is the right time to remember that all Christians are given gifts for ministry. How are you using yours?
I am more shy in some ways than most people would guess. Growing up I thought I'd be a doctor, or an editor of some sort. I never thought I'd be an attorney. But, I think I have a particular sensitivity towards service for the elderly and children. I see practicing law as an opportunity to minister. How wonderful would it be to have a career that truly honored God? One that just feels good because it helps others. I have been so blessed that I feel compelled to give back however I can. Although it is a non-traditional legal career, I think it will be a powerful one.
