It was early spring in 2004. The Sunday prior, I was arranging my trumpet equipment alongside fellow players in our church band. One of them inquired if I planned to attend the upcoming revival. I affirmed, declaring that not even illness would prevent me from participating.
I had been earnestly seeking God through prayer and scripture. A strong longing for a deeper connection with God was my desire. Having embraced Christianity since childhood and now nearing fifty, I yearned for more — the second blessing described in Acts, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, a power not just to witness but to be a witness.
Arriving at church feeling unwell, I prepared my horn stand on the platform and gave God thanks for my healing. Strong in my faith, as I took my seat, I found myself completely restored. My heart swelled with excitement, ready for a move of God.
We experienced a powerful praise and worship service. I proceeded to sit on the right side of the sanctuary with my wife. I felt a growing sensation in my spirit as the Holy Spirit moved within me. My wife leaned over and inquired if I was alright. I assured her I was, yet I felt God working within me. As the Evangelist concluded his sermon and prepared for an altar call for prayer, he summoned me to assist. My role was to stand behind each person he prayed over as a safeguard should they fall. In essence, I served as a 'catcher.' Moreover, I was surrounded by the presence of God; the Holy Spirit was strongly upon me. While praising God, I was overwhelmed with an indescribable joy, and I began to speak in a heavenly language (tongues).
Even after 20 years, I vividly remember that evening. I danced and ran around the sanctuary, feeling a powerful and divine presence around and in me. As the service ended and people departed, I remained; my soul and spirit were so stirred that leaving was unthinkable. It was as if I were in a celestial state of mind. Eventually, later that evening
I 'returned to earth,' so to speak. Leaving the building, my body felt incredibly light, filled with joy and peace. Returning home from the revival service, I told my wife and boys that I had been deeply changed.
The next day while taking a lunch break at the park on my route, one of the ladies that was at the revival service the evening before was driving by the park and saw me. She wanted to know how I felt. If I still had it. I commented that there was so much of God's presence still on me. This presence stayed with me for the next couple of days. It was as though God was walking with me for three days.
After several days, I noticed a newfound gentleness in my spirit. God had indeed transformed me. Not long afterward, I returned home from work and shared with my wife that I had felt compelled to pray for someone but hesitated. I felt as though I had missed an opportunity to serve God. She advised me, "Next time, just do it." Since then, whenever I feel the urge to pray, I offer to pray. Indeed, God has granted me the courage to witness and be a witness.
From that moment on, I endeavored to be receptive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The burdens of life, such as raising a family, working, and maintaining a home, can weigh us down. However, as a Christian, our foremost priority should be to live in Christ, leading a lifestyle of righteousness and leaving no room for unrighteousness.
As Christians, we are reminded that we are not of this world. We belong to the family of God, we are His children, he is our Heavenly Father, and we are to follow the life blueprint outlined in the Bible. We are called to conform to His ways, not to the ways of the world. Following God will keep us in His will until eternity.
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