I had this dream last night. It was kind of strange and kind of glorious all at the same time. I usually don’t share my dreams, but here goes.

I was in a gymnasium. Not sure where, but it felt familiar. I was on the floor while various church members from First Bethany were singing softly… All spread out around the gym floor.

A couple of things were strange about this: 1) the was no stage or anything, they were just spread out all over the floor. 2) they didn’t stop signing when I started preaching… They sang softly and I preached loudly.

I knew it was a definitely a dream when it came to the end. I gave an invitation and everyone in the stands responded to the Gospel … Every single person….that never happens in church ;).

I woke up this morning with the most amazing feeling… Just “wow, I want to be part of a real move of God like that!”

I though about the early disciples and one of the days they must have said “wow”.

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.  They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?  How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language?

– Acts 2:1‭-‬8 CSB

This was obviously an amazing day for the disciples. One that shaped their ministry for the rest of their lives. And one that has continued to shape ours to this day.

But let us not miss one Scripture passage just a little bit earlier in this book:

While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise.  “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about;  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time? ” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

– Acts 1:4‭-‬7 CSB

Many times we want God to act on our timetable. Instead, He says  “wait”.

I don’t always like waiting….. Ok, I NEVER like waiting….., but the above promise is not an empty one. 

He didn’t say “wait a few days and I might do something great”. He said to “wait for the Father’s promise… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you”

What an amazing promise… If you are a child of God, a follower of Jesus, you already have this same power that the disciples received. But if you allow me to stretch the illustration just a little. I believe God might also be saying ” I am about to do something great, wait on my timing, it is perfect“.

So while I would love to go rent a local high school gym and plan a worship service hoping that I am on the right track; I would much rather wait upon the Lord and His timing… To see such an opportunity come to light… And to praise the Lord for His perfect plan.

God, don’t let me miss out on what you are doing… I am here, waiting for your signal.

Join us Sunday as we discuss more about the Holy Spirit.

Rev. John H. Alexander, Jr.   @PastorJohn96