1 Corinthians 12:4, James 2:26, Galatians 5:25, John 6:63

Howard Drummond draws inspiration from the 2012 Paralympics for what the Church should be

Howard Drummond

The Olympic season is well and truly over, but the impression it left still remains with me, especially what the Paralympics stood for.

The Paralympics started in 1948 with only a dozen athletes, yet this year, more than 4,000 athletes competed for a place on the podium and to be crowned a Paralympic Champion.

Stephen Hawking said, "The Paralympic Games is about transforming our perception of the world. We are all different, there is no such thing as a standard or run-of-the-mill human being, but we share the same human spirit,"

This statement made me 'Selah' - ponder, think, take a break and have a Kit-Kat pause for a moment.

Church is about the transforming of peoples lives. We are all different and rightly so. I believe there is no such thing as a standard or run-of the-mill Christian; well at least I hope there isn't. The thing which makes us superhuman is the supernatural power of the Spirit, which is the same for all of us who are called and claim to be Christians.

That means that the person to your left and right has the same Spirit or the potential of having the same Spirit running through them as you do in order to transform their lives.

'There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit' (1 Corinthians 12:4), just as there was a diversity of athletes under the same 'spirit' of the Paralympics.

The Paralympic motto is 'Spirit in Motion' and during the 2012 Paralympics more than 4,000 athletes carried that 'spirit' of the Paralympics, putting into motion and changing people's perception about disability and what is possible for 'superhumans'.

What if the Church put its 'Spirit' in motion, in order to change people's perception about the Church and about God?

From Genesis to Revelation the Spirit of God 'is in motion'. Healings took place and miracles, signs and wonders occurred. An exodus of millions crossed the Red Sea and they were guided by pillars of cloud and fire; 5,000 ate from one boy's sandwich. An ass was caused to speak; dry bones are revived; the dead were raised and the living are blessed beyond belief.

In the Old Testament we read how the Holy Spirit was the origin of supernatural abilities; was the giver of artistic skill; a source of power and strength and an inspiration for prophecy and for the equipping of Gods messengers.

The Holy Spirit brings conviction; regenerates believers; sanctifies the believer and dwells in us.

In the New Testament the Holy Spirit imparts truth; glorifies Christ; fills us; pours out; enables us to walk in holiness; makes intercession for us; imparts gifts for ministry and mission and strengthens the inner being.

This makes me want to give a resounding cheer for all those who call themselves Christians, because the Spirit will remain in motion as long as we are alive and we breathe the breath of God.

We can do nothing without the Spirit.

'For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.' (James 2:26)

'If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.' (Galatians 5:25)

'It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.' (John 6:63)

I believe God wants to continually pour out His Spirit on everyone in order to keep the Spirit 'in motion'; in order that us so called 'superhumans' can transform and re-shape our spiritual horizons and skylines to such a great degree that not only our churches, but our communities would call on the name of Jesus and be saved.

We're not just called to attend Church, for mere attendance just creates numbers. We are called to 'be the Church' in our communities, keeping the Spirit 'in motion'.