Fill with Awe!

Fill With Awe
Acts 2: 43
August 2, 2023
Written by Rev. Kay Dubuisson

Two weeks ago, I had a life-changing experience at the Proctor Institute in Clinton, Tennessee. Over 450 faith leaders and activists gathered at CDF Haley Farm. It was a peaceful place where people from diverse backgrounds came together for one purpose - to support children’s well-being in their communities across the country.

Each morning, we had devotions led by inspiring preachers. During the four days, we had meaningful discussions, shared our success stories and challenges, and motivated each other to make a difference.

In the afternoons, we attended panel discussions and workshops led by experts in different fields. We freely exchanged ideas, refined strategies, and found innovative ways to engage our communities. Each person brought their unique perspective, contributing to the collective effort to create a fair and just world.

In the evenings, we gathered for uplifting worship services with powerful sermons that touched our hearts. We felt a strong sense of camaraderie and unity, bound by a shared vision of a caring community where children are protected and loved. It was a truly awe-inspiring filled experience.

This reminded me of the stories in Acts 2, where the apostles performed miraculous signs and left people amazed. The book of Acts narrates the beginnings of the church established by Jesus Christ. It also shows how God, by his Spirit, was doing something new and powerful by coming to live within people whom he called to have new life in Christ. Luke, the writer of Acts, captures moments and events in the development of the church that brought a deep sense of awe.

As I look to Acts for inspiration, we do this not to try to revive the past. We look back to find a way forward as we embrace the possibility that God is doing something new even today in our midst. In our walk with God, we often find ourselves amazed by the diverse and powerful ways in which God’s Spirit moves among us. From generation to generation, across time and space, God’s Spirit has been an ever- present force, actively changing lives and transforming hearts.

Sit, ponder, and think about what God is doing new in our personal lives, church and community. So, if you are new to the Christian faith, this can help to draw your heart and mind to the possibilities of what God can do. And if you have been a Christian for a while, this exercise may help to refresh your focus and imagination on the amazing things God can do in our lives and for God’s kingdom.

As Esther, Zachary and I headed back to our communities, we felt empowered by the Holy Spirit and supported by the connections we made during the gathering. We were determined to be strong advocates for children’s rights and well-being.

The Proctor Institute had become more than just an event; it became a symbol of hope, lighting the way for a future with justice and compassion. As we travelled back home, we knew our journey had just begun, and the stories and passion we shared would guide us on the path to positive change in our beloved communities.

Today, let us celebrate the unchanging yet ever-moving Spirit of God. May we be receptive to God’s leading, willing to follow God’s guidance, and eager to witness God’s transformative power in our lives and the lives of those around us. For the Spirit of God is not confined by time or space; rather, it moves freely and purposefully, touching hearts, and changing lives for God’s glory. Together, let us be a community that creates moments and events in the growth of our church, leaving everyone we encounter in awe of God’s greatness.

Pray with me: Lord, I yearn for more of you. Fill me with awe as I witness your work in my life.
Renew my senses to understand your ways. Amen.