Who is in control?

This weekend we are celebrating Pentecost. I would invite you to take some time to read through the account in Acts chapter 2 where you will hear that the “Baptism in the Spirit” that day included the sound of a rushing wind and what looked to be divided tongues of fire that rested on Jesus’ followers. What is more, they began speaking in other languages, declaring the good news of Jesus to those who were drawn by the wondrous signs. As you read the account, it is very clear that everyone was in complete control.

Recently, we have experienced various storms across the country that have brought with them terrible damage caused by tornadoes and strong winds. We are very thankful for the efforts of Lutheran Church Charities, which is our mission for the month, and other groups responding to those in need. We see what happens when powerful wind is out of control. We also are currently experiencing air quality advisories due to the smoke in the atmosphere from devastating out-of-control wildfires in Canada. What is more, if we watch the news and see all the evidence of hate language, we see people out of control.

I recently heard a great quote from Dr. Arianna Molloy: “When calling becomes more interesting or more of a focus to us than our Caller, then we start to get off track.” We all have callings, whether it be spouse, parent, child, brother or sister, employer or employee, student or teacher, etc. We may thoroughly enjoy being those things and doing what we think makes us the best we can be. But when we get so focused on those roles, we also tend to forget about asking our Lord to lead us and control us through the work of the Holy Spirit. And when we are no longer led by Him, we are “out of control.” When that happens, destructive things can happen.

As you read what happened before Pentecost in Acts chapter 1, you will note that the followers of Jesus spent ten days (the time between our Lord’s Ascension and Pentecost) in prayer. They waited for the Lord to do what He promised to do in His time and in His way. Waiting can be very hard work when you are so excited about a calling and all the things that need to be done. And when that happens, even when intentions are good, one forgets who is truly to be the One controlling things, for when He is in control He does powerful things among His people. When He is not in control, bad things eventually happen.

So as we celebrate Pentecost, perhaps it is good to reacquaint ourselves with a marvelous line Martin Luther has in both his morning and evening prayer: “Into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things,” as well as the traditional prayer for Pentecost, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love.” In other words, keep us under Your control.