I’m Not Sayin’ Lenny Kravitz is the Holy Spirit, but…

Jun 29th, 2010 Written By

But what if he could teach us some things about the move of the Holy Spirit in the Church? Would you listen? Would your church?

I just saw this awesome video and it’s got me thinking. Apparently Lenny Kravitz was in N’awlins having a drink when he heard his song being performed by a church choir. So he left to join in the fun. Maybe there are some spiritual parallels. Watch, and then tell me what you think:

Here are some of my initial thoughts.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t always move according to our plans. I’m pretty sure the VOP choir folks didn’t anticipate running into Lenny Kravitz on the streets of New Orleans and having a 5+ minute sing along with one of the hottest (and yes, I mean hot) performers in the world. Which leads me to my next point.
The Church needs to recognize the move of the Holy Spirit when it happens. What if the leaders of the VOP Choir only sang songs written by Lenny Kravitz, without ever actually knowing what he looked like. If that were the case, it’s quite possible that Lenny could have shown up and never been given the freedom to participate. Not only would the choir have missed out, but so would all those people who were standing around watching.
When the Holy Spirit is present, the world is drawn to the Church. The Spirit of love and of power are so contagious that people actually WANT to be there.
When we’ve had an encounter with the Holy Spirit, we want to tell others. I’m pretty sure choir members will season their conversation with “did you hear about what happened in New Orleans?” questions and comments for a long time.
When the Holy Spirit is present, people don’t care who gets the credit. The drummer gave up his seat. The singer gave up the microphone. All to the glory of God and the edification of the Saints. Literally.

Don’t even get me started on whether or not the church has room for walk-ons. My sports analogies aren’t that great.

What do you think? Can the Church, the world, learn something about the Holy Spirit from Lenny Kravitz? And if so, what?

I don’t want to miss a thing God might be doing. So Lenny, if you’re listening, and you’re ever performing anywhere near Lynchburg, VA I’d love to have a back stage pass.

Oh, and thanks Guy, for your post that started me thinking.

http://twitter.com/stevegrossman stevegrossman

What a beautiful video and your usual insightful and engaging accompanying post. My answer to your question: “Can the Church, the world, learn something about the Holy Spirit from Lenny Kravitz?” is: yes, as long as we're open to the fact that the Holy Spirit is able to use anything and everything to do whatever he wants. He, obviously, wanted to do everything you've listed plus draw a HUGE crowd (check out the beginning audience vs. the end). I also suspect He wanted to reveal Himself to Lenny and perform His usual redemptive work.

And to think, this all happened because someone said “Lenny Kravitz's song Fly Away” in response to “Our choir's going to sing WHAT?!!!???”

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com/news Cheryl Smith

Thanks Steve, for your continued encouragement!
http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com/news cherylsmith

I love how the Holy Spirit is the multiplier!

http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com LL barkat

I think we can learn from anything and anyone. The world is full of unexpected teachers.

Hey, I loved your Nutcracker story, btw. It would make a great post. :)

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com/news Cheryl Smith

really? hmmm, now there’s a thought…
http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com/news cherylsmith

yes, L. L. – unexpected teachers indeed. (thought I already replied to this but don't see it now. Pardon the redundancy, if so.)

thinking still about a dancing post…

http://chriscree.tv Chris Cree

Great video. Thanks for sharing it, Cheryl!

It does make me smile, wondering what all God is up to at times.

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com/news Cheryl Smith

Chris,

Likely far more than we could ask or think. :)

Robert

This reminds me of an expierence I had with the Holy Spirit some years ago. My church was having a cookout for the neighborhood. As the neighbors around the church came in you could see that some were happy to be included in this event. As one couple came in I was told that they were less than reputable. Later when I went in the fellowship hall I saw them sitting by themselves and serving themselves. I felt a prompting to go introduce myself and welcome them to my church, Instead I let my knowledge from what someone else said about them lead me to a table with people I knew and where I felt safe. I let the Holy Spirit down that day and I have never seen that couple again. The lesson I learned from this is that just because we think we are doing the work of the Lord, doesn't mean we are. What I mean by this is that only God knows his work and how he expects for his people to respond. Unfortunatly, I felt the urging from the Holy Spirit but I thought I had done enough by just cooking hamburgers to feed the neighbors. Relationships, Relationships, Relationships…..

I'm not sure how this relates to Lenny Kravitz and the Chior in the video other than to say that it made me recall my expierence of when I prevented the Holy Spirit from working through me.

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com/news cherylsmith

Sadly, Bert, I think most of us have had similar experiences. Mine came when the Holy Spirit urged me to visit a friend who was sick, dying from AIDS. My delayed obedience was costly. He passed away before I ever had that chance.

Chris Weatherby

Great post! Love your points especially “the Holy Spirit doesn't always move according to our plans”. Lenny is one of my heroes. “They” said he would never make it singing the kind of music he sings and look at him go!

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com/news cherylsmith

I always wonder who “they” are and who gave “them” credence…

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http://www.facebook.com/Kathyascot Kathy Curtis Anderson

i believe the Holy Spirit never misses a love in which is what was going on…Jesus said if 2 or more get together to do the will of the Father then The Holy Spirit is there with them…love is the answer!

I’m Not Sayin’ Lenny Kravitz is the Holy Spirit, but…

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