The Gifts

Silence rang it’s voluminous bells in the place that I stood.  Even the faintest distant sounds could be detected.  Far off, I heard a growling murmur that beckoned my eyes skyward.  High above, approaching six or seven miles, a contrail marked the passage of a jet winging it’s way East.  At 600 knots over the ground, the muffled growl lasted a mere thirty seconds and was gone.  Then quietness cloaked by nothingness collapsed around me and left me to my inner thoughts and reflection. 

The Lord said to Israel, “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”

That prophecy was declared in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Isaiah‬ ‭(44:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬).

As I waited in nervous anticipation, I thought about that passage of Scripture in the Book of Isaiah.  It seemed to be a rather arbitrary verse to reflect upon since I was standing in the middle of nowhere surrounded by miles and miles of rugged high desert.  There was a flowing river within walking distance, but this distinct locale was in stark contrast to a flood plain or low lying basin.  Well above the river, and far away from easy water collection, this place was dry and arid.  The river could not be seen, and without previous knowledge of it’s existence, this site aptly described desolate isolation lacking any life giving properties.  Yet, in my defense, I wasn’t randomly wandering through Old Testament Scriptures without a connection.  I currently stood upon a rusty-red deposit of recently moistened and glistening travertine limestone layered with colorful orange, yellow, and brown streaks.  Quite unlike the dry bleakness of unending sand and dirt, this interesting geographical feature had puddles of water still reflecting the mid-morning sun.  Like a palm tree deficient oasis, life-giving water obviously flowed out onto the thirsty and dry ground here, but how and why?

“What were those other passages of Scripture?” I muttered to myself with a furrowed brow.  I fumbled with my phone for a few minutes and finally located the verses I sought.

Jesus said, “....but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”” (John‬ ‭7:37-38‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

I smiled as I closed out the Bible app and put the phone back in my pocket.  It seemed that this little adventure packed a solid spiritual punch.  It was speaking to me, but I needed more information and experience to understand it.

“How long?”

The question reeled me back to the present moment.  The voice belonged to my son, Keegan.

“Not really sure.  Maybe another thirty minutes,” I guessed optimistically.

“How high?”

“Supposedly, thirty feet,” I answered.

“That’s pretty cool.  I hope it erupts soon,” he offered as he scrutinized another interesting photo perspective and then reengaged his photographer’s eye for a few more shots.

A burbling sound grabbed our attention, and we fixed our eyes on the bore hole at our feet.  Climbing out of the depths, a rising column of water appeared and then pushed out of the hole with a plop.  Lackadaisically at first, more water babbled out over the rim of the hole.  More bubbles, more plops, and more gurgles soon morphed to surges, spurts, and groans.  With increasing enthusiasm, the water poured out of the hole.  Lifting out of the depths accompanied by an ever-increasing growling whistle, more and more water breached the surface.  The frothy cold water started arcing out of the hole with force.  Gaining height, momentum, and boldness, the eruption arced overhead and splashed towards a dramatic climax.

There are very few cold-water geysers in the world.  Parenthetically qualified with “that I know of”, there are three located in Germany, a couple in Slovakia, one in Brazil, and four in the United States.  Unlike their hot-headed and steam-driven brothers, cold-water geysers erupt due to carbon dioxide charging.  Much like a soda-pop drink, the carbon dioxide remains in solution until a release in pressure is experienced.  A weakness in the overlying strata in the form of a fissure or man-made bore hole offers an escape path and a pressure release for the carbon-dioxide laden water.  The carbon dioxide then comes out of solution, and the expanding bubbles drive the eruption.  It is a fascinating experience to watch a cold-water geyser erupt.  Typically, the erupting water is frothy white, and since it originates from a deep underground aquifer, it is quite cold.  Hence, the name.  Unlike hot-water geysers that force a person to keep some self-preservation distance unless scalding is desired, cold-water geysers almost demand a frolic session in the spraying water.  Probably not wise to consume, (read that as don’t drink the water), but the water is certainly refreshing to play in on a hot day.

This cold-water geyser eruption that I am thoroughly enjoying is called Champagne Geyser.  It is a wonderfully active little geyser that erupts thirty to forty feet in the air.  It is way off the beaten path which, in my opinion, makes it an even better and more fulfilling experience.  Brimming full with wide open spaces, sage brush, sand, and rocks, the surrounding landscape elicits thoughts of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch gang sneaking along the sun-drenched mesas.  Remote and untamed beauty hover on the expansive horizons in every direction, leaving a person, like myself, reveling in the echoing silence.  

Of course, unless a person’s timing is perfect, there could be an extended wait time for Champagne’s next eruption.  But, believe me, it is worth it!  We were fortunate during our visit since we were rewarded with a fifteen minute eruption after only waiting one hour.  As always, I try to make the most of that “be-still-and-know” time in nature, and this little adventure gave me a wonderful opportunity to reflect on God’s mighty handy work.  Post eruption and a couple of days later, I finally realized the spiritual parallel that Champagne Geyser provides.  To summarize it with one word, I’d have to choose “Gifts”.  Here’s why...

It all starts with that prophecy in the Book of Isaiah quoted earlier.  It was a promise that God made long ago, and on the Day of Pentecost, over 700 years later, God fulfilled the promise with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  Now, don’t quit reading just because I mentioned the Holy Spirit.  Let me expound.

Lots of people, including some self-professing Christians, lose interest quickly when the topic of the Holy Spirit is mentioned.  I find that interesting because the Holy Spirit is the One responsible for marking us as children of God.  Moreover, the Holy Spirit makes an appearance throughout the Bible including the Old Testament.  In First Samuel, we are told that the Holy Spirit came upon King Saul, and then later when God removed His blessings, the Holy Spirit left Saul.  The Holy Spirit has been around even before Man was created.  

“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I think what causes angst for many people is the association made with certain religious groups and their self-proclaimed manifestation of the Holy Spirit.  And my answer to any question regarding that topic will always be;  Is it biblically correct and not taken out of scriptural context?  Be cautious!

As for the continued topic of the Holy Spirit, God offered the Gift in the Old Testament to a select few and for certain occasions.  There were instances of the Holy Spirit ministering in the lives of Gideon, Othniel, and Samson so the idea of the Holy Spirit being actively involved in personal lives should not be shocking.

What really is significant about the Day of Pentecost is how God made the Holy Spirit available with an outpouring to all believers in Christ.  Up til then, the Holy Spirit had been a “rare Gift”, but with the dawning of the church age, Jesus said the Holy Spirit would “help you and live with you and be in you forever” (John 14:16-17).  Take special note that the Holy Spirit is for ALL believers in Christ, and there is no rationing.  It could easily be an outpouring reaching gully-washer proportions.

Later in the letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul confirms that the Holy Spirit is for all believers when he writes, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,..” (Ephesians‬ ‭1:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

So, based on Scripture, the Holy Spirit indwells in the believer at the moment of salvation and “seals” the deal.  At that point, we are designated as a child of God, and thereby assured of a promised inheritance.  And that, my friends, is a wonderful gift!  In fact, it is a pair of wonderful gifts!

We have not earned the gift of salvation, nor are we deserving of the gift of salvation.  Yet, by God’s grace, we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ and His work performed upon the cross.  And then, just to add more frosting to the cake, the gift of the Holy Spirit resides in us to guide, direct, assist, strengthen, comfort, renew, and sanctify.

The Holy Spirit living inside us is the “living water” that Jesus referenced (Ref. John 7:39) which flows from within us.  As long as we continue to walk in fellowship with God and do not stifle the Holy Spirit, He will continue to charge and fill us.  Much like a cold water geyser eruption, the power of the Holy Spirit keeps expanding within us and soon, living waters start bubbling out of our lives.  Sometimes referred to as the fruits of the Spirit, Christians that live lives charged with the Spirit, exhibit overflowing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. (Ref. Galatians 5:22-23‬).  They are people that are optimistic, uplifting, and a true pleasure to be around.  They, literally, seem to be bubbling over with love.  They respectfully care and remember, not because they want something, but because they have something wonderful to share.  Others are drawn to them because they offer a light in the darkness.  They reflect the hope of “Good News” that others seek to possess.  What an amazing gift!  What an awe-inspiring eruption!

Not only does the gift of the Holy Spirit perform all those works in our lives, but He, often times, provides further gifts called the "gifts of the Spirit". Consequently, it is possible to receive additional God directed gifts like discernment, wisdom, and knowledge.  Talking about a gift that just keeps on giving!

There is no better time to reflect upon these gifts than during Christmas because the sequence of events must start with Christ.  He is the catalyst that starts the process.  There will be no eruption without Him. 

In a humble manger in the small town of Bethlehem, the new born King of kings was given to us as a gift by God.  That Gift took all of our sins to the cross to pay a debt that He did not owe.  If we accept Him and believe, then all the other gifts come.  The Holy Spirit seals our salvation and guarantees our inheritance.  And then, as the Holy Spirit expands and empowers us on the inside, the eruption begins.  At that point, grab a deep preemptive breath and enjoy because there is no telling how high the “living water” will go.  The Holy Spirit will assuredly take your breath away.  Ohhh, what a breathtaking eruption!  Ohhh, what breathtaking Gifts!!

Merry Christmas!