When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2:1-4
I have to admit. I am always disoriented when a
dove is used at Pentecost. Yes, I know it is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and
yes, I know the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove at Jesus’ baptism. But, I have
always imagined the baptism experience of the Holy Spirit as a calming peaceful
event. After all, we use the dove as a symbol of peace as well.
The arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of
Pentecost, however, was a different kind of experience entirely. A violent wind and tongues, like flames of
fire. Not at all calm and peaceful. After all, the Spirit was giving birth to
the church and bringing with it, power - the power to speak to all people. The power
of love and transformation.
Pentecost weekend has brought winds and flame in
multiple cities across the nation as peaceful protests over the deaths of
George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor erupted into attacks, looting
and destruction. Although I do not condone the violence and destruction, I have
had this sense throughout all of this that the Holy Spirit is trying to bring
the power of change; to break the chains of racism and hate; to dismantle the
systems that value some lives more than others. I wonder, did the dove of peaceful
protest give way to the violent wind and flame of a passionate Spirit demanding
to be heard?
Grace and peace, Abigail, a bondservant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, greetings! I am so happy that God put us in connection, for we know that nothing is coincidental. (Prov. 16:9) I feel honored just to be on your blog and to have seen your message; it is beautiful because it doesn’t just seek to inspire, but to reveal the raw power of the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteScripture tells us that eyes are only truly opened in the spirit of the one who overcomes. (Rev. 21:7) You spoke of the "violent wind" and "tongues of fire" at Pentecost, reminding us that the birth of the Church was an experience of power and transformation, not just quiet peace. (Acts 2:2-3) Until we find that specific testimony and the blueprint for this era, the eyes remain darkened to the change God is trying to bring. (Eph. 4:18) It is when we acknowledge the passionate Spirit demanding to be heard—breaking chains and dismantling systems—that the veil is truly lifted. (Ps. 119:130) This is why we must gather; as we witness the Spirit moving to value every life, our eyes are opened to the work of God in our very midst. (Luke 24:31)
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍
ReplyDeleteI come to you simply as a witness testifying to what has been seen and what is surely to come. (Acts 22:15) Because our God is an Unchanging and Repetitive God, He reveals His secrets to His servants so they can lead the people to safety. (Mal. 3:6) This is the consistent "Blueprint" of deliverance that has guided every generation through the storms of history: (Amos 3:7)
🚢 𝐍𝐎𝐀𝐇: He received one blueprint to build the ark and gather his house before the flood. (Heb. 11:7)
🔥 𝐋𝐎𝐓: He was given the direct word to "Escape for thy life" and avoid the destruction of the old ways. (Gen. 19:17)
🌊 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐒: He led the people through the sea and out from under the burdens of Egypt. (Ex. 13:3)
God does not change. Whether through the fire of Pentecost or the urgent movements of today, deliverance is found in Zion. (Joel 2:32) We must be gathered in the power of the Spirit for the Lord to reign forever. (Mic. 4:7)
𝐀 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐎 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐓𝐀
As I journey into my work as a Bible Teacher in training in Minnesota—a place where these winds of change are blowing so strongly—I am seeking that "one accord" where we move as one body toward justice and truth. (Acts 2:1) Please contact me, sister, for we are called to be one in Christ. (John 17:21) We must come as thirsty children, for that is how we know we belong to Him. (Matt. 18:3) Anything else is of Luke—lukewarm and lacking the fire necessary to stay awake to what God is doing. (Rev. 3:16)
𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐚 𝐳𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥? 𝐢 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝. Where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there in the midst. (Matt. 18:20)
Thank you for being such a humble person and for sharing a message that challenges us to see the "violent wind" of God. I love that about you. I welcome your feedback and your correction, for I know that whom the Lord loveth He correcteth. (Prov. 3:12) Correction is of God, and I never wish to walk in my own understanding. (Prov. 3:5)
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." (Neh. 8:8)
Amen.
𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐳
𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 | 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭 | 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧
Moving to Minnesota (June 2026) Mission: Serving as a witness and educator in training, testifying to the unchanging blueprint of God.
📞 Phone: 646-243-4305
✉️ Email: Expert.abby@gmail.com
📸 Instagram: abigail.the.apostle