Trajectory

Manifesting God’s transformative power in our journey

And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?
—Acts 2:8 (ESV)

Embracing stillness does not mean embracing stagnation. According to the dictionary, stillness represents a state of peace and freedom from turmoil, while stagnation indicates a lack of activity. God calls us to pursue a life filled with meaningful activity and to seek a state of tranquility, allowing us to tune in and listen to his voice. It’s an invitation to find peace amidst the busyness and to connect with his divine guidance. We tap into his guidance through prayer and the contemplation of Scripture.

We can all agree that life is a journey we embark on during our time here. We have a destination to strive for. Eventually, we all face the reality of death, and our spiritual journey continues even beyond our time on Earth. It symbolizes the timeless and boundless joy of being in the presence of God for eternity or the never-ending anguish and torment experienced by those who are separated from Him. Our response to God’s salvation while still alive on Earth determines this spiritual destination.

Embracing Christianity is accepting God’s saving grace. This decision profoundly transforms our lives and our journey on Earth. It inspires us to live with renewed purpose, guiding our actions and decisions with love, compassion, and faith. This transformation leads to deep inner peace (for our sins have been forgiven completely), a stronger connection to others (we now enjoy community), and a profound understanding of our place in the world (we are strangers and sojourners). Our trajectory and movement should reflect our transformation.

As we open ourselves to the powerful and comforting presence of the Holy Spirit, God gently reminds us of His unwavering love for us: “I see you, I love you.” Let’s embrace this divine assurance and respond with a heart filled with gratitude and positivity, aligning our course with God’s love and grace. There should be a response in us that causes trajectory.

We think of Acts chapter two when we speak about a mighty and powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Acts chapter two, we witness an extraordinary event. Rather than merely speaking in tongues, the disciples of Christ experienced a profound revival through the Holy Spirit. This revitalization imbued them with the ability to speak in a wide array of known languages, transcending linguistic barriers. It’s truly remarkable to observe the transformative influence of the Holy Spirit, as it enabled the disciples to effectively communicate in diverse languages, compellingly demonstrating God’s extraordinary power in action.

In Acts chapter two, the miraculous event of speaking in other languages is not only about the ability to speak but also about the profound act of genuinely listening and understanding one another in their own language.

Sometimes, when serving God, we tend to rely on our natural ability to perform. But God is not impressed with our performance but with our total surrender and obedience. We have bought the idea that a revival means that our abilities and capacities get enhanced supernaturally. In reality, it is not about our capacity to do ministry; it’s about recognizing our need for Christ’s compassion to serve with a pure heart and the proper purpose. The Holy Spirit gently reminds us, “You need my grace and mercy to do what I have called and appointed you for.”

In Acts Chapter 1, Jesus prophesied to his disciples, emphasizing the importance of receiving divine grace and actively carrying and sharing it with others. This signifies the disciples’ role as conduits of God’s grace, spreading love, compassion, and forgiveness to those around them. A role and an appointment we have received as well. This prophetic word did not conclude with Jesus’s eleven disciples during his earthly ministry; it was also declared over us. This prophetic word highlights the divine directive and accountability assigned to each and every believer, underscoring the significance of wholeheartedly accepting and fulfilling this sacred obligation.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
—Acts 2:42 (ESV)

Devoted here comes from the Greek word proskartereō. The Greek word “pros” is significant because when a word begins with “pros,” it indicates the concept of “moving toward” or “facing.” This prefix is commonly used in various Greek words, and understanding its meaning can provide valuable insight into the word’s meaning and what is expected as an outcome.

We are called to move towards sound biblical teaching and doctrine. In our Christian journey, we are encouraged to transition from moments of solitude to the enriching experience of being part of a supportive and connected community within the Church. This transformation allows us to find support, build connections, and achieve spiritual growth as we share our faith with others and receive encouragement and guidance along the way.

Transitioning from isolation and self-reliance to actively participating in and contributing to a community of fellow believers we regularly worship. This shift involves physical presence and the intentional cultivation of deep and meaningful spiritual and emotional bonds with our fellow worshipers. It encompasses the process of building trust, empathy, and support within the collective worship experience, creating a network of interconnected relationships that enrich our lives and contribute to our overall well-being. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” Jesus said to his disciples and us in John 13:35.

Devoted here means to persevere in a committed fashion, that is, in some activity or cause to the point of devotion. The text tells us that when these people met Jesus, they were moved by him. Christ’s grace so undid them that it changed how they lived. It affected every moment of every day. They stopped being homogeneous, and they started welcoming other people in. This is the true Revival. True Revival is not holding crowded pack meetings in arenas for days on a row (though it may occur); it is not about an extravagant demonstration of joyful praise and worship settings (though they may be involved), nor is it about supernatural and, at times, awkward physical manifestations. True Revival is about our lives being touched, transformed, and aligned to biblical truth, values, and morals. True Revival is about a life characterized by genuine obedience; it is about responding to God’s touch in such a way that the trajectory of our lives is transformed completely, and this change is evident in the way we think and act.

Revival is a call to action that demands a swift and wholehearted response from each of us. When we open our hearts to God’s presence, His divine power will work through us, initiating a profound transformation within our families and communities. Ultimately, this change will have a ripple effect, reaching and impacting lives with the profound message of hope and redemption found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must wholeheartedly embrace the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the essential key to living a purposeful and fulfilling life. We must joyfully walk the path illuminated by the Holy Spirit, which holds the wisdom and direction we need.

Those who came to know Christ were transformed completely and radically by God’s grace. Therefore, they were not ashamed of their faith and of speaking about the true one way to heaven. They fearlessly and passionately preached and proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, advocating for God’s truth and moral values, even in the face of harsh segregation and vehement hostility from their society. Acts 6:39-41 reveals that they were willing to endure dishonor from their society because they fearlessly proclaimed God’s truth, which directly opposed their time’s prevailing beliefs and worldview. Sadly, we are not willing to face opposition or segregation for speaking against this prevailing lifestyle that comes from the pit of hell. We want to “be part” of our society; we want to blend in smoothly without having to discuss what we say we believe. We do not want to be discriminated against by our society for speaking the truth, a truth that goes against what this world has accepted and normalized as correct, but which in reality goes against the truth, values, and morality established, endorsed, and blessed by God.

Scripture tells us that:

and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
—Acts 5:40-41 (ESV)

Throughout history, the fundamental structures of society have persisted. During the New Testament, the prevailing worldview was characterized by an unregenerate understanding of right and wrong. This outlook influenced the norms and values of that era, shaping the social fabric in significant ways. Throughout history, society has undergone significant changes, normalizing behaviors and lifestyles that were once considered unusual, unnatural, and unequivocally wrong. Despite technological advancements, the fundamental nature of the human heart has remained constant, albeit transformed by the evolution of societal norms and values. The Bible tells us that “every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gn. 6:5). We should not be surprised that as time goes by, evil will increase. The biblical truth, values, and morals will not only be defiled but persecuted as well. We are told in Scripture that “while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Tim. 3:12)

Sadly, Christians have come to terms with the evil and sinful thoughts that have fashioned (and continue to fashion) how today’s society conceives values, morals, and lifestyles. In this broken and sinful world, Satan holds dominion, tempting with offers that stand in direct opposition to biblical truth, values, and morals. We often hesitate to speak out publicly against behaviors we perceive as sinful or immoral due to the fear of being stigmatized by society. We worry about being branded as regressive, obstinate, or intolerant individuals who cannot accept the diverse range of lifestyles that people choose to embrace in the modern world. This concern stems from the apprehension of being viewed as proponents of an archaic worldview that fails to recognize the autonomy of individuals in defining their own identities.

During the time of the New Testament, those who identified as believers faced severe persecution and physical violence as a result of their unwavering dedication to standing up for the truth, defending the gospel, and vocalizing their opposition to sinful behaviors and lifestyles. Their courageous stance in the face of adversity highlights the tremendous challenges they encountered while spreading their message of faith. Today, the message has spread widely worldwide and continues to do so. However, we are still reluctant to be identified as advocates for Christ and his gospel and about speaking the truth despite potential repercussions. We want to be relevant and eager to blend in, but is it worth sacrificing and publicly denying the truth we say we believe?

Only when we allow the Holy Spirit to move in us and allow Him to completely transform us will we experience true Revival. Once we are ignited by the authentic fire of Revival and experience a profound transformation in our lives, we will not only witness extraordinary signs and wonders occurring in our midst, but, most significantly, we will be empowered to fearlessly proclaim the truth and unmask sin and deceitful lifestyles for what they truly are: deceptive illusions.

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
—Acts 2:43 (ESV)