God’s Suddenlies

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

Acts 2:2

   There are times when it seems like God’s purposes move as slowly as a blackwater, East coast river. And then there are times when God’s purposes burst forth like a volcano, moving dirt and rocks and sending smoke high into the air. I call these latter times, God’s “suddenlies.”

You can’t predict a “suddenly” of God. And you can’t create them either. They happen in the will and timing of the Father, and they are all a part of His global plan to make disciples and bring glory to Jesus. They happen fast and they bring sudden and lasting changes.

David, the shepherd, had a suddenly in the Valley of Elah. On a food run bringing bread and cheese to his brothers in the army, he found himself face to face with an enemy of God. A sling, a stone and a sword later, he’s defeated Goliath and suddenly finds himself the hero of a nation. His life is never the same. God’s purpose: to unite a nation with a king after His own heart.

Joseph had a suddenly one dark day in the dungeon of Egypt. Pharaoh has a dream, his former prison friend, the cup-bearer, remembers him. He tells Pharaoh his dream and its meaning and gets a promotion to second in command in the most powerful nation on earth. A sudden promotion. God’s purpose: to save His chosen people from drought and starvation.

These moments change our lives forever. Recently I experienced a few “suddenlies” of my own. New opportunities open up. New relationships are formed that will shape the future for years to come. Doors fling wide open without any human effort on my part. Suddenly, I find myself in a new place, seeing a new view of the future, with new possibilities on every side.

Jesus’ disciples were in the same place just before the day of Pentecost. Together in an upper room praying, they were waiting as Jesus had commanded them, anticipating the coming of the Promised Holy Spirit which they would need to become his witnesses. The meeting lasted for several days. Hour after hour, they prayed in unity for the purposes and will of God to be done.

“Help us make new disciples, Lord,” I can imagine them praying. “Lord, we can’t do this without You. Come send Your Spirit, like You promised. Help us Lord!”

Then their “suddenly” came. Like a rushing, mighty wind, it came. Their suddenly came with wind and fire. The Spirit came and rested on each of them and they began to declare the glories of God in many different languages which they had never spoken before.  Power from on high had hit the brand new church of the Lord Jesus Christ!

It was like a life-giving volcano. The crowds thought they were drunk. The people heard about God in ways they could understand. Jesus was being preached and on that day 3000 people received Peter’s invitation to put their trust in Jesus. A Holy Ghost eruption had come to Jerusalem and the world would never be the same!

I pray for a “suddenly” for your life today and in the coming months. I pray that God would come in a new and life-changing way to give you new joy and boldness to tell others about Him. I ask that the Father would give you His Holy Spirit as He did for the disciples on Pentecost, and Asheville would be transformed as a result.

Suddenlies are powerful. Suddenlies change us forever. Suddenlies are all about making more disciples and giving glory to Jesus. May God grant you a “suddenly” today that fills you with His joy.  You are a vessel He wants to use. A clay vessel, but a chosen vessel. Ask Him to fill you today afresh. Listen for the sound of the wind. Look for the fire. Come, Holy Spirit!

 

Tom Camacho