Gather To Be Scattered

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2 I’ve read this passage numerous times before, but have you ever slowed down to think about it - the disciples “heard” the Holy Spirit speaking! We think of God speaking directly, or speaking through angels, or speaking through prophets or apostles; but what would it have been like to hear the Holy Spirit speak? Certainly I’ve “sensed” the Spirit speaking, but something about this seems different. In Acts 1:8 Jesus told his disciples they would be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” But it had yet to venture far beyond Judea and Samaria. In Acts 13, the church is gathered in worshiping, fasting, and praying. They were waiting for direction from God and listening for the Holy Spirit to say what was next. Their posture was one of anticipation, and the result was that heard from God. Notice, too, that following hearing from God, they fasted and prayed again before laying hands on them and sending them out. This should be instructive for us. There is something powerful that happens when the community of faith gathers together, practices spiritual disciplines, and waits to hear from the Lord. God spoke, and the people obeyed! When we worship Jesus, do we expect the Spirit to speak? And if we “hear” him, will we answer his call? You and I must have a heart of submission to the Spirit. We need to be open to the plans that the Spirit of God has for us so that God can work in and through our lives. We are the church gathered in order to be scattered.