Day 84. Pentecost is coming.
Are you on tiptoes? Anticipating?
I am expectant. And I’m extending an invitation. To you.
Will you join me in expectancy?
Perhaps your church has already opened for worship. For prayer. Maybe your church plans to re- gather refreshed on May 31st. Pentecost Sunday. Possibly your church will not open for weeks, months or has no plan to reopen.
Regardless, will you watch and wait with me for a great celebration of God’s goodness poured out on His people as we praise His holy name? This anticipation requires only a personal choice. Do you hear the Bridegroom’s whisper?
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
“Pay attention!”
I first heard His call to ponder these words in February 2019. His repeated whisper to {pay attention} caused me to go to His scriptures and search. The Shepherd’s gentle instruction caused me to ask some good questions. And the more I’ve pondered these simple words the more expectant my heart has grown.
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
Matthew 25:1-10 NIV
This season of {pay attention} has increasingly reminded me of my excitement as an engaged bride counting down the days eagerly anticipating the arrival of my groom just days before our wedding. As May 21st drew closer, my heart longed for and my eyes watched for the sight of my love walking through the door. I could hardly contain myself. I was focused.
Pay attention.
Watch. Wait. It’s a purposeful turning of eyes away from the distractions of earth. I have had to intentionally tune my ears to His voice, the song of my Beloved.
Something good; He, Himself, is right around the corner. We who are betrothed to this Bridegroom, we need to have our hearts refreshed with fire. The yearning for His voice and His return for us must become a hunger that prompts us to be on alert. On tiptoes. Waiting at the door. Listening for the sound of His approach.
He whispers to me again and again… {Pay attention} Lisa. I know you’ve waited long for My answers to your many questions. Watch, for I AM near.
It might sound to you that I’m predicting the return of Jesus on Pentecost. Truly, since His call to my heart to {pay attention}, I have been looking up and calling for Him with increasing joy and fervor than any other time in my life. I don’t know the day or the hour of my Bridegroom’s coming to sweep me up and across the threshold of our new home.
However, I do sense a coming fire of His presence, which will rekindle love in the hearts of His people. The bride will be turning, once again, toward her first love. And as we receive the nearness of His presence through the outpouring of His Holy Spirit, we will gain a new vigor, a boldness with joy to participate with Him to bring in a great harvest. We’re going to enjoy Him more and share Him more as we delight in Him more.
Pentecost is coming. Watch. Wait. Anticipate. Worship. Praise. Repent. Fast. Pray.
Pay attention.
Jesus wants us to see Him, hear Him, experience Him and follow Him. He is jealous for our affection. He’s whispering your name. He is getting our attention.
If you’re asking, “what now?” because your world has been turned upside down. Maybe now is a good time to ask Jesus what He wants you to know. It’s a good time to look up. Turn away from the cares of the world. Tune your ears to His voice. Turn off the world’s constant chatter.
Pay attention.
Watch for Holy Spirit to come with a fresh wind and restore souls. A fresh fire is coming. Lord, Your people are looking up. We’re ready to go to work with You. Ready to bring in the great harvest.
Thank You Father, Son and Holy Spirit for letting me live at this time in history! Thank You for the privilege as Your betrothed to join You in the fields ripe for harvest. I’m watching for You. I know You are near.
Help those who read these words to have their eyes opened, ears tuned and hearts awakened. Encourage each one to receive Your invitation to come close to Your all consuming fire and be rekindled. For those who need life, may they receive Your breath in this Pentecost season.
Thank You, lover of my soul, for coming for me, dying for me and making my life abundant by Your sacrificial Love. I’m watching. Anticipating. Standing on tiptoes…
Eyes on Jesus and Shine,
~Lisa
