“We beheld His glory.” —John 1:14
It is a beautiful autumn day as I write this. In a few weeks, costumed children will come to our doors looking for candy. Someone inevitably pulls out the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the story of poor Ichabod Crane.
I didn’t know the significance of Ichabod’s name until I discovered the meaning in the book of 1 Samuel: Ichabod means “the glory of the Lord has departed.” What remains is godless, desolate—a vacuum for evil and disaster. Definitely a scary name.
Ichabod was manifested when God withdrew His glory reluctantly in response to Israel’s faithlessness. The temple, King Solomon’s masterpiece, would eventually be destroyed.
When the glory days of Solomon’s reign ended, Israel soon forgot what it was like to experience the presence of God—until one winter night, centuries later. While shepherds watched their flocks, the night sky suddenly lit up with a burst of light, accompanied by heavenly voices heralding the birth of the King! A tiny baby, lying in an obscure manger brought the glory of God back to dwell on the earth.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory” (John 1:14).
But it didn’t stop there. Moses witnessed the burning bush, ablaze with fire that didn’t consume; Jesus called His disciples the branches of the new tree of life (“I am the vine, you are the branches …”). He came to baptize us with fire, setting our hearts ablaze with the power of the Holy Spirit. We are the burning bushes of the church age!
On the Day of Pentecost, fire came down from heaven once again, only this time to rest upon the heads of the early church.
This fire was the glory of God reaching its ultimate destination: the human heart. This fire rode on the wings of the Holy Spirit, returning to empower His people with love and strength from on high.
God’s passion for you will direct and guide your life, as long as you remember that the practical goal of realizing your life’s purpose must be preceded by experiencing the passion of God. As you look at this relationship of passion to purpose, ask God to give you your own Day of Pentecost. Ask His Holy Spirit to come down and fill you with His glory, opening your eyes to the wonderful possibilities He has in store for you.
