Have You Got 'It'? You Betcha!

[HKHaugan]

Resurrection 14a Have You Got 'It'? You Betcha!

What makes a person appealing? What about them draws attention? You hear someone say, 'They've got it.' What is 'it'? When you start trying to explain about 'it' the result is usually a pause because the non-verbal has overtaken the verbal. But one thing is for sure, the 'it' is real. Judges watching people perform on stage are looking for a performance-'it' that will cause them to say “They're really good. They've got 'it', which means there is something unique and special about that performer.

When you come right down to it, everyone has an 'it' about them. Think about the people you know casually by sight and maybe with whom you share a mutual short greeting. Then, in some more relational setting, you hear their personal story which causes you to see them in a whole new way. Their 'it' surfaced. When you share your story, others see your 'it'. That 'it' is your aura, magnetism and really your 'charisma.' That's what happens when we share our experience of Jesus. That releases your 'it', your 'persona', your 'charisma'. That is your magnetism which is the charisma, the magnetism of Christ in you; the real 'it'. Believe it or not you can say all kinds of words but how you are perceived to be is what people relate to. You are the medium of a message you are sending. You have 'it' built in but who or whatever is in charge is what will be perceived. When Jesus is in your heart that will be the aura about you, the light of the world Jesus tells us we are when we receive Him as Savior and Lord.

When people saw Jesus they were drawn to the 'it' in Him. That 'it' in Him was the Holy Spirit. 'It' was His confidence, faith, truth, passion, reason, openness, honesty, strength, power, relational concern, obedience to His Father, and most of all, His love. It is the unseen reality in Him that reaches out to the unseen in us, His 'it' touching our 'it'.

When we were born again by the Holy Spirit we were given an 'it', our reborn spirit. That rebirth was spiritual, personal and relational; our unique and special 'it.' When we were first born that birth came with talents, attributes, minds, hearts and spirits. When we were born again, that was when the 'it' kicked in by the Holy Spirit. He gave us gifts that fit each of us uniquely and those gifts were given to give life to what we were given in our first birth. Now what we receive in the second birth is the spiritual 'it' to help others come to know the Lord who would restore the 'it' in them.

There are some people whose 'it' (charisma-aura-magnetism-fascination) draws your attention and can be felt when they walk in a room. It may be the way they speak, seem appealing, are natural leaders, exude a confidence, authority bearing, in charge, reveal a heart for others and all the other impressions that make them attractive. But there is a distinct difference in Holy Spirit 'it'-ness. You can tell it comes from the Lord because of the way it touches your heart and you kind of know God is present. Also it is quite different from ego assertion because there is a humility involved. It is the lack of ego and the genuine interest a Spirit led person shows. They are generally not aware of the impression they are making, only that they are confident in what they are saying and doing.

One thing about the word charisma. It's root is the Greek word charis, grace, the Father's loving acceptance of sinners through the blood of His Son Jesus the Christ. Grace lowers, levels and leads us to be humble before God in the presence of others. Grace prompts us to always consider first the hearts of people around them. Grace helps us to discern the spiritual situation and grace leads us to exert our spiritual gifts because spiritual gifts are grace gifts for healing brokenness and restoring unity with God and one another.. That's what the Greek word charismata means, literally the things of grace. The fruit of the Spirit is, like spiritual gifts, charismatic. You know, love, joy, sound mind, gentleness, peace, patience, kindness and self control. It is these qualities that reflect eternal life, the Holy Spirit life in Christ. That life is truth for the mind, love for the heart and grace for the spirit.
When we receive Christ the 'it' in each of is crowned by the Holy Spirit. We are charismatic in a unique and special way. His grace identifies us, heals us and empowers us to be His lights wherever we are, the 'it' in us living and growing experience by experience, moment by moment. God brought us into being for His purposes and for His purposes we serve Him and one another as He leads.