A tremor seized the floor. Mary tumbled onto the cool, gritty surface. She flattened her arms out to either side as the quake rattled up the walls. The ceiling heaved as if it might cave in on their heads. She hugged her knees and studied her friends’ gaping faces. Wide eyes glistened back at her.
A gale-force voice swept through the room and whooshed over Mary’s skin. Her hair snapped like a storm-battered flag behind her. The lanterns fell dark. Her skin prickled, as a strange current intensified throughout the inky space. Questions pried her lips ajar, but she did not speak them. Before sound moved past her throat, a throng of suspended flames pierced the darkness.
Shaped like human tongues, fiery wisps appeared over each head. Mary craned her head to study the blaze poised inched above her. Just as she recognized her dry mouth hung open, the flame dove inside. It flashed like a shooting star down her gullet, burning its way into her core. Mary marveled first at the absence of pain, but grew more awed each moment by the sensations that took its place. Warmth penetrated from her center outward with greater intensity than midsummer rays. The flames soothed her flesh and energized her spirit until the hairs on her ear lobes and toes tingled.
Heat surged upward and ignited her breath. Mary sprang to the door and burst into the streets alongside her friends. She curled her tongue around a scintillating new language as the Lord’s story blazed from her mouth. Strangers froze mid-stride and listened. Foreigners gathered and clogged the sidewalks and roads.
A deep hunger surfaced in the hearts of those who listened. Women clutched at Mary’s sleeves. Dozens clamored to get closer, like a throng of souls who had been starved for ages. The initial amazement with fire-breathing and comprehending other languages faded. Something far more wonderful overcame it.
She had made them understand.
Mary’s fire-breath taught about Christ in such a way that it kindled a desire to know Him.
The Spirit’s power made her work effective in ways she couldn’t. Not with her plans, talents, or efforts. So the Spirit works through His people today. In the work God sets before hands, feet, or mouth, may He set each breath on fire.
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken…Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:1-6, 41)