One day. Just one day. What value can it possibly hold? What can possibly be done in such a short time that holds any meaning?
Most mornings, even though I try to start the day right, I have to admit, I question the value of my day. It’s not that I believe I will waste it per se. Rather, I can so often be deceived into thinking that my day will consist of routines and unimportant parts. Let’s be real – often our days do hold chunks of time that seem relatively mundane and unimpactful.
However, we should never underestimate the power of a day. This is especially true when that day is put in the hands of the God of all Creation!
Over and over again in both the Old and New Testament, God shows himself to be a game-changer. Things get out of control, circumstances arise that are impossible to overcome, God is called upon and everything changes. It takes time to change the behaviors and hearts of mankind, sometimes even years, however, with God, actions have a way of coming about supernaturally and entire trajectories are changed in a day!
I want to share an example of the power of God to move so quickly through a story I have read and heard more times than I can recall. I read it again this morning and I saw it differently. It is the story out of Acts chapter 2 where we read that the followers of Jesus (the disciples, Jesus’ family, and a few other close followers who had remained) were meeting in a home. Jesus had already been raised to life, met with them, and reascended back into heaven. They had been told to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was to come upon them. And so these people, in an act of anticipation and obedience were doing just that.
“Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” (Acts 2:2-4)
In a moment, their lives would forever be transformed. In that moment, the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of God – would no longer be distant but would for the rest of their lives take up residence within them. As if this wasn’t amazing enough, this moment wasn’t created just for them!
“When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.” (Acts 2:6)
This noise – this arrival of the Spirit of God – was so loud that it caught the attention of the crowd. They could have ignored the noise. They could have second-guessed themselves or what they heard. They could have stayed focused on whatever else they were doing at that moment. But the Word says that they came running. Curiosity overpowered the mundane. They had a divine appointment they may not have had on their mind for the day, but God did.
Peter began to preach. The word of God and the message of the gospel was delivered. “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.” (Acts 2:32-33) “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (v.38)
In that day – one single day – 3, 000 people accepted Jesus as their LORD and Savior and were baptized. Make no mistake there are lives that can be changed in a day alone. This one act of God – the sending of the Holy Spirit, moved the hearts of approximately 13% of the population of that city in one day. One act.
Maybe we should reconsider what lies before us today? Perhaps instead of anticipating the same old routines and the belief that we are just going through the motions, we should enter the day with a different view? You see, God’s people never go through their days apart from Him. While I may not have much within me to bring about any change, I do carry within me the Spirit of God, who is always at work. He alone knows what this day will hold. He has already mapped it out and gone before me. He has already determined the seeds that could be and will be planted. God is and will always be who He has been. He will not change His character, which means I should enter into this day before me with a different attitude – one of excitement, anticipation, and a desire to be a part of God’s great plan.
Who knows what today will hold?
Blessings!