When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks . . . (Acts 2:1-4a The Message)

Give me the Love that leads the way
The Faith that nothing can dismay
The Hope no disappointments tire
The Passion that’ll burn like fire
Let me not sink to be a clod
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God
(Amy Carmichael)

What if? I often ask this question of unlikely scenarios that I fear might happen to me or my loved ones. What if I fail? What if there’s an earthquake? What if I run out of ideas or money or love? Some things are more likely than others to happen, but all are unwanted worries that rob me of peace, hope and passion.

What if the Holy Spirit was unleashed in my life? What if the Spirit of God spread through our ranks? What if, instead of worrying about my past mistakes or my present shortcomings, I lived like the new person that God created me to be? The Spirit filled person that Jesus promises that I am!

Sometimes I feel like my new dog, who pulls at her leash, straining to get to her next adventure. Yet, I reign her in because I want her to behave. When she is off her leash, in the house or in the fenced backyard, she romps and chases her tail and runs as fast as she can for the pure joy of it.

Oh, how I want to live an unleashed life, filled with  the power of the Holy Spirit. I long for a life full of unexpected power and unparalleled joy.

Unleash in me
New fervor.
Let your Spirit blow, where
Embers fade.
Add more fuel;
Stoke my
Hearth with flames of love.