Lift Off!

---

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)

---

5…4…3…2…1…Lift Off. I repeat, we have lift off…

Once when I was younger, we were driving home late one night, and I jolted awake. The imagination of a child is a fascinating place to be, and around me the blurs of dreams jumped into reality. When I finally fully woke up, I looked out of the window and saw the most beautifully clear night sky. All the stars shining brightly and, in that moment, even though I was only young, I was bowled over by my place in the universe and the beauty of creation. I couldn’t help but feel like I was born for something greater. That experience kick started my obsession with space.

Just a few short months later, I was lucky enough to be able to watch one of the last Space Shuttles launch from Kennedy Space Center. I will never forget that day. The build-up was intense. The anxiety palpable. The muted excitement bubbling. The countdown finally began. Then the moment was here. I can only describe it as an immense, awe-inspiring moment. Last night, I relived the magic and, along with an estimated 10 million others, watched from the TV as SpaceX and NASA launched a Falcon 9 rocket. The momentous occasion marking practically 10 years since the last time humans were launched into space from US soil. Just like when I was a child, I was filled with awe and fascination at the feat of science, maths, and engineering.

So, what has this got to do with Pentecost?

Today, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2, we read of the first Pentecost and the experiences of the disciples. Much like the rocket launch, the build-up to Pentecost was intense; a fair mix of anxiety and excitement was sure to be felt by the disciples who were waiting and trusting in God. Then, the moment arrived, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, their faith ignited, and they had ‘lift off’. Their journeys, because of the Holy Spirit, propelled the good news of the gospel to even greater heights and spread the message to all corners of the world. Even though they were going into the unknown, much like the astronauts going into space, they allowed God into their lives and let the Holy Spirit ignite their hearts for Him.

Just like the disciples at the first Pentecost, we too can experience a ‘lift off’ moment in our faith journeys. So the challenge is this; will you let the Holy Spirit ignite your heart today?

We were born for greater things We were born to chase your dreams Come my Lord, awaken holy fire We are turning from our sin We are praying once again Come my Lord, awaken holy fire We are aching for the real thing Hearts are open wide

Send revival; start in us Set your holy spark in us Send us out in resurrection power History's about to change We are rising once again Send us out in resurrection power We are aching for the real thing Hearts are open wide

Burn like a Star – Rend Collective