"Outpouring"

I could not believe it,

But saw it there up close,

A move of God’s own Spirit,

It helped our school the most.

‘Cause back when racial tension,

Ruled most everyday,

In old Alabama,

It might not end okay.

When things deteriorated,

And tensions ran so strong,

The Spirit started moving,

To overcome the wrong.

Hearts of high school students,

Were touched by Jesus’ grace,

Prayers before and after school,

And many sought His face.

And all of that old tension,

Just quietly drained away,

It never made a headline,

But I remember to this day.

Greater love and justice,

Laws help us to do right,

But when it comes down to it,

Only God can shine the light.

To change the hearts of people,

To help them to forgive,

To cast out all racism,

And teach us how to live.

So if you love the Savior,

And if you trust the Word,

Ask the Holy Spirit,

To heal that old school board,

And pray for one another,

And love as we are loved,

Maybe a new out-pouring,

Will come from up above.

“Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:18, NLT)

The bottom-line answer to every human challenge and problem lies in turning to the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit. For example, when a person is addicted to any chemical, twelve-step programs can be a life-changing catalyst for sobriety. But in the recovery steps, one is pointed to the Higher Power that alone can help them get free. That Higher Power is the Holy Spirit of God. He can heal our deepest wounds, impart to us God’s forgiveness and assurance of salvation, and lead every decision we make. When our school was threatened by racial hatred, the Holy Spirit calmed things down and changed people’s hearts. He still does. That’s why Paul counseled the Ephesian church to always be filled with the Spirit. We need the Spirit for our lives, our families, and our nation today.

Lord, pour out Your Spirit and fill us all, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, billantonstudio.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.