This year, Biola did not mess around. Entitling Torrey Conference “Pneuma” summoned the Holy Spirit in a powerful and unexpected way. But somehow I was not prepared for all that the Holy Spirit would do leading up to the conference and during the conference.
astounded by the work of the Holy Spirit
In the littlest of ways I found myself astounded by the work of the Holy Spirit. Seeing our entire community come together to devote this time to God and the work of the Holy Spirit, I saw how he gifts his Spirit to us, mightily. I saw the Spirit moving through the student who could barely sing the words to a worship song as well as in the student who continues to jump up and down. Within the hands held high, the knees bent low, the ones standing and the ones sitting, The Spirit moves and simply does his work as we hope to feel the experience. As a prayer and reminder, the tune of “Holy Spirit” rang beautifully and repeatedly in our heads.
“Holy Spirit, You are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere. Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for. To be overcome by Your presence, Lord. Your presence, Lord.… I’ve tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves, where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone. Your presence, Lord.”
While I cannot claim to know everyone’s experience, I believe the Spirit moved in highly beautiful ways. The Spirit continues to move in different ways, and oh so badly do I wish I could see his pattern better, but it is one woven together in a pattern my worldly eyes fail to see most time. When seeing through the eyes of God, with the inviting of the Holy Spirit, there are glimpses but I look forward to heaven when we will be in the presence of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to grasp how the Spirit moves.
eyes to see the Spirit moving and working
My prayer for all of us is that we will not stop seeking the Spirit of the Lord. That the conference will not be a five credit and done one. That God will give us eyes to see the Spirit moving and working in our lives and on this campus. To learn to trust God and the leading of the Spirit.
Thus, Holy Spirit we continue to welcome you here. Holy Spirit come and teach. Oh, Holy Spirit come and speak. Oh, give us the discernment to know your voice, to have a love for your Word to discern your voice more and more. Allow us the ability to answer the question of do I know your voice in those still, quiet moments with a resounding yes. Lead us on a journey, God, that requires learning and frustration and will not come to fruition in our time at Biola, or until you come again.
The Holy Spirit is not yet finished with us. We can only wait to see how he will work in the future.
