What is admirable to you? What do you find attractive in another person. What is it that draws you and makes you want to be around someone? I asked several people about this, and they answered things like (condensed to a word each), beauty, power, wisdom, fun, courage, integrity, love. We are drawn to attributes that speak satisfaction to some part of our being, be it in the natural or in the spirit.
When the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, at first the witnesses did not understand: "
2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
They were curious enough--attracted enough--to listen to Peter as he preached. The result was that the convicting power of the Holy Spirit dealt with them and the people desired what they saw and heard. "When the people heard [Peter's message], they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord will call." About three thousand that day found the Holy Spirit attractive and were drawn to what He was doing.
"The Lord appeared to us in the past saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness, I will build you up again . . . Again you will take up your tambourines and go out and dance with the joyful. Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit" (Jeremiah 31: 3-5); "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself" (John 12:32); "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy Name. Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits--who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103:1-5).
Beauty, power, wisdom, fun, courage, integrity, love--anything your heart may find admirable or attractive are found in the Holy Spirit who is ready and willing to draw you to the very heart of the Godhead. Only He can satisfy you.
We used to sing a song titled "Who Can Satisfy" that stirred my spirit every time I heard it. It said:
Who can satisfy my soul like You?
Who on earth can comfort me and love me like You do?
Who could ever be more faithful and true?
I will trust in You, I will trust in You, my God.
There is a fountain who is a King,
Victorious Warrior and Lord of everything.
My Rock, my Shelter, my very own
Blessed Redeemer who reigns upon the throne!
Thank You, loving Lord, for wooing me to Your side. You are filled with beauty, power, wisdom, fun, courage, integrity, love and all good things, and I worship You! Amen.
2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.