Ecstatic about a Word

When I ask people why they did things, why they acted as they did, whether it was appropriate or not, I often get the answer, "I got caught up in the moment." There's a time that we lose control of our senses, our decision making process and end up in a circumstance where having thought about it we might not want to go.

But there's another way to get "caught up in the moment," a spiritual moment. While it's not good to end up in a mob, doing as the mob does (this is related to peer pressure in some ways.) there are times that we can get caught up in the work of God, in the midst of worship, emotions rising in the soul, a feeling of God's presence that washes over us, overwhelming us adn what we do in that moment we might not be able to control, or even want to. It is being bathed in the Holy Spirit. It is a deep sense of God.

While it can be hard to distinguish between these acts, the second is a powerful and wonderful gift that God gives. Some have experienced it more than others, some not at all. It's because God works differently in each of us and there's the fact that we hold controls over our selves in ways that might keep us from those experiences. Yes, I mean we keep God at arms length and the very gifts God gives us all in the name of control.

Samuel anoints Saul as the first true King in Israel and one of the first things that happens with Saul is that he gets "caught up with other prophets" and begins prophesying ecstatically. He has what some might call an out of body experience. The Spirit (Holy) of God comes upon him and he speaks a word of God that is beyond him, from God Himself. (That's what a prophet does, or one who prophesies, speaks a word from God.)

Saul told Samuel, “Next, you’ll come to Gibeah of God, where there’s a Philistine garrison. As you approach the town, you’ll run into a bunch of prophets coming down from the shrine, playing harps and tambourines, flutes and drums. And they’ll be prophesying. Before you know it, the Spirit of God will come on you and you’ll be prophesying right along with them. And you’ll be transformed. You’ll be a new person!" (1 Sam. 10:5-6, Msg)

Through this experience Saul became a new person, because of the touch of God. He heard and spoke a word from God. He felt the movement of God, the very Spirit of God, and it changed him. (That's the job of the Holy Spirit!) And the cool thing is that when we expeience this, give up control to God and let the Spirit work in and through us, we can get ecstatic, too!

It's true. Just like Saul, God has a plan and a purpose for each of us and it's not drudgery. There's nothing dull about the work of God, nor is it something to fear.(although losing control is a scary thought.) Actually, God is already at work on us and if we have allowed, in us! God's giving us a word, a place, a purpose, a job, a passion and when we speak, go, try, work, move with it, it will bring a new sense in us. We'll feel ecstatic about whatever it is that God is giving us.

At least it's possible, if we lose control. (or rather, give it up.)

I'm ecstatic because God continues to give me words to speak and a life to live.

Grab your tambourine and join the procession.

Peace ><>
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