“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

 

The word “power” conjures up images of raging torrents of water, a powerful V8 engine, the jolt of an electrified security gate and the brute power of a weightlifter in my mind. But how does one describe the power of the Holy Spirit? What does the power that He gives us look like? And what do we do with that power?

 

The word “power” was originally translated from the word dunamis. It reminds one of “dynamic” and “dynamite” and speaks of power not meant to be hidden but to bring change.

 

In yesterday’s daily reading, we emphasised the audible and visible supernatural events that accompanied the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This experience resulted in them boldly and spontaneously proclaiming the greatness of God. It was as though their tongues were loosened and empowered. Their frankness in testifying to others confirmed that the Holy Spirit endows power; the dunamis power brings about change!

 

Can you see what happened? They first had to receive the power of the Holy Spirit (verse 8) before they could execute Jesus’ command: “You will be my witnesses. It is only the power of the Holy Spirit that enables the church to be effective witnesses and to shamelessly pronounce that Jesus is the Son of God.

 

Let us take the events after Jesus’ crucifixion as an example. All his disciples went into hiding because of their fear of the Jews. Wouldn’t you have done the same? How can fearful people go into the world and effectively witness about Him? An almost impossible task. Only the power of the Holy Spirit enables one to do that. His power in one, triggers the ability, the boldness, confidence, insight, and authority to shamelessly witness that He, Jesus Christ, is the one and only Redeemer.

 

Just in case you are wondering: the power of the Holy Spirit works in and from our inner spiritual man. The part that was redeemed by our rebirth and should be under the control of the Spirit.

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, my heart is filled with thankfulness for the ever-present power of the Holy Spirit in my life. If sluggishness to witness comes knocking at my door, open my spiritual ear to clearly hear the wind of your Spirit power again. Amen