Reframing The Picture

"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me." Acts 1:8. A pastor I know and love is discouraged. Although he is diligent in prayer and works hard, his church remains small while a congregation nearby is rapidly developing into a megachurch. Yet, when I think of the alcoholics, drug addicts, and sexually immoral people he has led to Christ and a new way of life, I see him as one who witnesses in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Because of what happened on the Day of Pentecost, we tend to associate the the Holy Spirit's presence and power with amazing phenomena and large numbers. We forget that a little later, those same people filled with that same Holy Spirit, were flogged, rejected, and imprisioned, even executed. But through all of that, they were powerful witnessess. That same power can be evidenced in a dynamic preacher who attracts great audiences. It is seen as well, in the volunteer who carries on a one-on-one prison ministry, or in the person who witnesses to a co-worker or neighbor, and in the Sunday school teacher who is faithful week after week.
The power of Pentecost is not especially reserved for those who are highly gifted. Rather, it is available to all the belivers in Christ who wish to serve Him. The power of God's spirit gives power to our witness.