Holy Spirit
Olympic Torch taught me about Holy Spirit Anointing
It’s amazing to me how seemly insignificant events can open your eyes to see something very differently. And that’s what happened to me when the Olympic Torch came to Jacksonville, FL in 1995. It changed how I review Holy Spirit anointing. I know. I KNOW! How does the Olympic Torch relate to Holy Spirit anointing? Let me tell you what happened first.
Does the Olympics games take you to your favorite chair in front of the television, holding your flag with a heart swelled with patriotism? Well, I can tell you for sure, every mention of the Olympics, whether it is Summer Olympics or Winter Olympics takes me back to 1996. The Summer Olympics was being held in Atlanta, GA. The Olympic Flame was coming to my town and I wanted to see it.
See the Olympic Torch?
I didn’t want to fight the traffic, but I didn’t want to miss the Olympic Flame! Wayne was at work and I didn’t want to go alone. Kimberly was baby sitting, but agreed to take the baby and go with me. It was a dreary, rainy day.
Being the great sitter she was, she didn’t want to get the baby wet. Mothers don’t like it when their babies get soggy! So we decided to wait at the covered overpass of the bridge where the ramp met the sidewalk .
The Olympic Torch was going to be transported to its next destination via boat, so I knew if we were patient enough we would get a bird’s eye view of the Olympic Torch.
But I was shocked by what we saw.
An official Olympic Employee, holding a container with the official Olympic Flame, flanked on both sides by armed Georgia Officers started down the ramp toward the waiting boat. I was intrigued by what I saw. Guards, two of them, were there to protect the flame, because the flame was so valuable. I understand that the Olympic Flame is a symbol of the Olympics.
As a matter of fact, the entrance of the Olympic Flame is a highlight of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The carrier of the flame is kept secret until the ceremony itself. It is usually someone of prominence in the world of athletics.
But for me as a believer the Olympic Flame was a spiritual reminder.
If you’ve read my book the book “Precious Holy Spirit” you know some of the story, but here’s more. Fire is significant to a believer. Often in the Old Testament God revealed Himself to people in fiery manifestations. Some examples include when the law was given; Moses and the burning bush and Elijah’s sacrifice to mention a few. The Bible even tells us that God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)
Anointing
Just like fire is a symbol of the presence of God, there is another symbol that gets its origin in the Old Testament. The symbol of anointing. Anointing means to rub with oil. Kings were anointed. Priest were anointed.
It was a public symbol that acknowledged a personal need of the presence of God to enable them to do what God had assigned them to do! Even Jesus was anointed. (Acts 10:38)
Jesus was Holy Spirit filled and anointed.
And if Jesus, our example, needed Holy Spirit anointing, then so do we! Which brings me back to the armed guards. They were there to protect the flame because it was valued. And my question is, “Do you value the Presence or the Fire of God in your life?”
Do you value the anointing or the Presence of God enough to protect it?
How?
- With Holy Living.
- Repentance.
- Obedience.
- Right Attitudes.
- Living according to the principles of the Bible instead of your own.
- Prayer
- Regular Bible Study
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 NLT
Seeing how those guards protected the flame, changed how I value the anointing of God on my life.
I’m quicker to repent. There are things other people do that I don’t do. Choices I’ve made. Commitments. Simply because the anointing is so valuable to me. Something to think about….
My Favorite Torchbearer Tidbit
This year the oldest torchbearer ever, a man that was 101 years old ran about 1/8 of a mile as part of the Olympic torch journey to Sochi. He practiced or trained for his run with a frozen salmon! For some reason that is the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while. There were some really amazing Torch events this year. You can read them here.
I have additional teaching on the Olympic Torch for teachers.
This teaching on the Olympic Torch has impacted my life so much! If you are a teacher, this teaching will bless you. A Blog Link on the 2012 Olympic Torch Can People See the Light of Jesus in You?