Will He Show Up?

Feb 11, 2021

Something beautiful happens at the very beginning of the book of Acts.

We see the Holy Spirit take up residence in the early church. With a rush of wind, a miracle takes place:

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

- Acts 2:2-4

Pentecost was God presenting Himself in our world like never before. Pentecost was God promising to endow us with the same power that raised Christ from the dead. Pentecost was the beginning of a promise to us: if we make space for the Spirit of God He will do miraculous things.

That promise is laid out for us in Acts 1:8,

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

I have spent a lot of time wondering, for myself personally and for the church as a whole: if we are promised this incredible gift, why are we so hesitant to or incapable of making space for Him?

We can chalk it up to a lot of things: business, distractions, sin, etc. But as I’ve examined my own heart, I think there is one big reason why we run from making space, why we choose our phones or hobbies or relationships over making space for the Spirit of God. I think we’re afraid.

Because to make space means that we have to let something go. We have to choose to sacrifice time somewhere else to make time for Him.

And I think - at least for me - there’s some fear in wondering, will He show up? And will He show up in a truly miraculous and fulfilling way?

If I choose to make space for Netflix, I know I’ll get to watch a show (although sadly not The Office, thanks NBC). If I make space for work, I know I’ll be praised for working more and more. If I choose something I know, at least I’ll know the outcome - the outcome might not be that great but I’ll be in control of it. What’s so scary about the Holy Spirit is that we aren’t in control and we don’t know how He will show up.

If we make space, will He uproot everything and we’ll have to make uncomfortable changes?

If we make space, will He be unhappy with what He sees in us?

If we make space… will He even show up?

Yes we know scripture promises us that He will, but I think some of us have this nagging fear inside that we’ll be stood up on the first date. That the Holy Spirit won’t even entertain us for an appetizer, He’ll just skip over us all together.

I want you to know it’s okay to be afraid. But at some point we must accept that we won’t be in control. And we must realize that trying to maintain control might cause us to miss out on some of the best things in life.

Because making space for Netflix is easy and controllable, but I don’t think it brings nearly the reward of the radically life-changing power of the Holy Spirit.

Here’s what I know: despite what the fear might tell you, there is a God who desperately loves you and wants to know you. And He promises that if you make space for Him, if you sacrifice some time or energy and wait on His presence, He WILL show up. He won’t stand you up. He’ll be there, and He’ll love what He sees (even the messy parts). And then He will change you - and it won’t be how you expect, and it won’t always be comfortable, but it will be absolutely beautiful. Because it will be for His glory.

Let’s not let the fear win. Let’s believe that the Holy Spirit is going to show up in powerful ways in you and in me this week.