It was my observation while reading a blog entry posted by Sarah Torbeck (CatholicMom.com), she presented an excellent story about Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who was imprisoned by the German Nazi’s at the age of 52. I have adapted a portion of Sarah’s post for this essay.

Corrie Ten Boom wondered if she would be able to suffer without betraying her Lord Jesus. She described a conversation between herself as a child and her earthly father: “Daddy,” she had said one day, “I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.”  “Tell me,” Her father wisely responded, “when you take a train trip from Haarlem to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?”   “No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.”  “That is right,” he replied, “and so it is with God’s strength. Our wise Father in heaven knows when you are going to need things too. Today you do not need the strength to be a martyr. But as soon as you are called upon for the honor of facing death for Jesus, He will supply the strength you need — just in time.”   “I took great comfort in my father’s advice,” Corrie told her audience. “Later I had to suffer for Jesus in a [Nazi] concentration camp.” This is a good example of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Is it real? Yes — it is like a nitro injection for a gas operated engine.

Peter said — Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial [or crazy trial] when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ [it might be an accusation, a false charge, a demand for improper action] you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (Paraphrased from 1 Pet 4:12-14)

Acts tells us — Ananias departed and entered the house [Ananias was looking for Paul]. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. (paraphrased from Acts 9:17)

This infilling came from God, on God’s timetable, not Paul’s timetable. God knew Paul needed the power tools that came with the infilling of the Spirit. He prepared Paul for leadership.

Jesus said — I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you [indwelling] and will be in you [infilling] (John 14:16-17).

Acts tells us — brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. (Paraphrased from Acts 6:3)

This filling was for people who needed spiritual gifts to serve God’s people so the Apostles could continue their leadership tasks and not be distracted by administration issues. These men were team players.

Jesus said — When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:26-27).

We are filled by the Spirit with truth to speak.

Jesus said — when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine (John 16:12-15).

We are filled with the Spirit in power and given Gifts to do what needs to be done. He fills us, the Spirit directs us, we move. As we diminish control, the Spirit increases control. The gifts granted by the spirit fulfill his mission, in his time, for his purpose. We should feel extremely blessed to be a part of the event. We need him to minister to others, he does not need us to act.

I choose Jesus.