These words spoken by Peter in today’s first reading describe the guarantee that Jesus promised those who repent and are baptized: they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. To prevent any confusion, Peter continued, “The promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39).
We who have repented and been baptized, even though we are far off from Peter’s day, are included in that promise. Indeed, the Holy Spirit was given to us when we were baptized.
But do we live as if this is true?
It is disturbingly easy to become so caught up in the cares of the world – and even with good things like family and careers – that we forget that we have God Himself living within us!
The sky clouds over, new deadlines pressure us at work, children call for our attention, our stomachs growl, and we quickly fill with anxiety. News headlines announce more tragedies and our hearts are worn out. We are exhausted. We don’t feel like we have God Himself living in us.
And yet we do. God’s presence is not dependent upon our energy level or mood. It is not dependent upon our circumstances. It is dependent on His faithfulness. Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and always, will not change His mind nor revoke His gift.
The Holy Spirit lives in us!
Let this sink in for a minute:
God is all-powerful. Our circumstances cannot defeat Him.
God is all-knowing. He has the answers we need.
God is perfectly loving. His love does not depend on us doing everything “right”. To the contrary, He delights to give us His mercy. And when we have no love to give those around us, He fills us up.
God is strength. He is wisdom. He is joy. He is peace.
The Holy Spirit delights to empower us!
Ironically, it is when we accept the fact that we cannot do it on our own (there is no shame in this; it’s how we were created) that God’s power can flow through us.
When we allow Him to move through us, we find that He gives us all that we need. He refreshes us. He leads us. He fills us with good things. He helps us to see the good in our lives, and He walks us through the dark places. He brings light!
This promise was given at Pentecost, but it was made possible by Easter. Jesus’ resurrection was the proof that there is new life for us all. We are no longer bound by all that is dark in the world; we are children of the light!
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
The darkness in our lives cannot overcome the Light that shines in us.
This promise is to YOU!
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