The silence of the Spirit

Two days ago Martha and I went for a short nature walk. A stone's throw away a small creek flows through the town common. A path runs close to the creek for a short distance. We noticed a few of the reeds growing next to the bank quivering in such a way that we knew something below the surface was disturbing them. Just a fish, we thought; but just before we turned away a dark object popped to the surface. Surely not! But it was. A platypus. We hadn't spotted any in that creek for ten years. We were able to follow it from only a couple of meters away for about fifteen minutes as it gradually swam upstream, alternately diving and surfacing. No sooner had we begun to continue our walk than a hawk swooped low overhead; within about ten seconds the peace and quiet was shattered as plovers and magpies seemed to materialize from nowhere and began to mob the hawk, squawking and wheeling as they went. Seconds later, a large flock of yellow-tailed black cockatoos that had been feeding in some pine trees streamed out and away, screeching as they went. Our hearts burned within us as we connected what we had seen with the God we worship - our eyes had seen an unmistakable manifestation of the genius and power of God who had made them all, just as He has made every "little flower that opens, each little bird that sings".

The next day, yesterday, was Pentecost. We read how, on that day almost two thousand years ago, the sound as of a mighty rushing wind and the sight of flames of spirit "fire" accompanied an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Jesus' disciples, marking a mighty landmark in salvation history. The change in their behavior was palpable. Shortly afterwards, they emerged from indoors to find an assemblage of thousands of people drawn to the scene by the mighty manifestations of the Spirit. Though never having indulged in the fearful art of public speaking before, they spoke powerfully and with such persuasion that three thousand listeners signed on the dotted line of discipleship. Not long afterwards, the disciples gathered together.

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).

My heart burned within me to read about the visible manifestations of the Holy Spirit and the mighty works it/He wrought. Not only were the disciples emboldened to speak in public, not only were they given words of such power that thousands were moved to act, they were gifted to speak in foreign languages. What would I give to have been there. What would I give to hear someone, anyone, speak with the same irresistible dynamism as the disciples did then - to know one is hearing words spoken by one to whom the gift of "prophecy" (preaching) has been given. I don't believe I have ever been privileged to hear such a message. Yes, I believe I have heard an occasional "inspired speaker", but never one with the special gift of preaching. What would I give to witness a genuine display of speaking in tongues. I never have. What would I give to see someone glorify God through exercising the gift of healing. Sure, I have known people who appear to have been healed by God, but never via the agency of the gift of healing.

I'm thinking out loud and allowing my thoughts to run in circles. I wonder why. Why can my heart burn within me when I see visible manifestations of the glory of God in creation, or when I read Scripture, almost any Scripture, yet it has never once been set on fire by any manifestation of spiritual gifts? Don't get me wrong; I'm a firm believer in the work of the Holy Spirit in transforming lives and imparting spiritual fruits to believers. But fruits is fruits and gifts is gifts. The New Testament clearly distinguishes between the two. Ever since that day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit has been quietly working in the minds of those who have heard and responded, making them think more and more like God as each day goes by. We can know that is so because Jesus said He would build His church and that Satan and his cronies could not stop it - thus, the Holy Spirit is at work. But as far as I can tell, the powerful manifestations of the Spirit we read about in Acts ceased long ago. The gifts of the Spirit spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12 are simply not being doled out today. Hundreds of books have been written about "finding" and "using" the gifts, but they are all so much theological soda pop. What are we to learn from the silence of the Spirit? Something very significant, I'm sure. But what?