{"id":44654,"date":"2020-11-11T01:02:31","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T22:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=44654"},"modified":"2025-05-07T16:00:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T13:00:50","slug":"what-is-the-meaning-of-inspiration-uvuvio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2020\/11\/11\/what-is-the-meaning-of-inspiration-uvuvio\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Meaning of “Inspiration” (Uvuvio)?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The <\/span>word <\/span>“<\/span>uvuvio”<\/span><\/em> in <\/span>Swahili <\/span>can <\/span>be <\/span>directly <\/span>translated <\/span>as <\/span>“<\/span>inspiration”<\/span><\/strong> or <\/span>more <\/span>literally, <\/span>“<\/span>blowing <\/span>air <\/span>forcefully.”<\/span><\/strong> In <\/span>a <\/span>practical <\/span>sense, <\/span>it <\/span>means <\/span>to <\/span>blow <\/span>air\u2014<\/span>often <\/span>through <\/span>the <\/span>mouth <\/span>or <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>fan\u2014<\/span>onto <\/span>something, <\/span>like <\/span>hot <\/span>coals, <\/span>in <\/span>order <\/span>to <\/span>make <\/span>them <\/span>burn <\/span>more <\/span>intensely. <\/span>This <\/span>action <\/span>ignites <\/span>or <\/span>revives <\/span>fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

For <\/span>example, <\/span>when <\/span>you <\/span>blow <\/span>on <\/span>hot <\/span>charcoal, <\/span>you’re <\/span>inspiring<\/span><\/em> the <\/span>fire\u2014<\/span>you <\/span>are <\/span>adding <\/span>oxygen, <\/span>causing <\/span>it <\/span>to <\/span>flare <\/span>up <\/span>and <\/span>grow.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>Biblical <\/span>Example: <\/span>Job <\/span>20:<\/span>26<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\u201c<\/span>Total <\/span>darkness <\/span>is <\/span>reserved <\/span>for <\/span>his <\/span>treasures. <\/span>An <\/span>unfanned <\/span>fire <\/span>will <\/span>consume <\/span>him; <\/span>it <\/span>shall <\/span>go <\/span>ill <\/span>with <\/span>him <\/span>who <\/span>is <\/span>left <\/span>in <\/span>his <\/span>tent.\u201d<\/span><\/em> \u2014 <\/span>Job <\/span>20:<\/span>26 (<\/span>NKJV)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Here, <\/span>Scripture <\/span>speaks <\/span>of <\/span>“<\/span>an <\/span>unfanned <\/span>fire”<\/span><\/strong>\u2014<\/span>a <\/span>fire <\/span>that <\/span>no <\/span>human <\/span>has <\/span>blown <\/span>on <\/span>or <\/span>kindled. <\/span>It <\/span>implies <\/span>a <\/span>fire <\/span>that <\/span>arises <\/span>by <\/span>itself, <\/span>uncontrollable <\/span>and <\/span>destructive. <\/span>The <\/span>verse <\/span>conveys <\/span>judgment: <\/span>such <\/span>fire <\/span>will <\/span>consume <\/span>what <\/span>remains <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>wicked <\/span>person’s <\/span>dwelling. <\/span>This <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>spiritual <\/span>truth <\/span>too\u2014<\/span>judgment <\/span>that <\/span>comes <\/span>not <\/span>by <\/span>human <\/span>hands <\/span>but <\/span>from <\/span>divine <\/span>origin.<\/span><\/p>\n

If <\/span>the <\/span>person <\/span>had <\/span>been <\/span>present, <\/span>perhaps <\/span>he <\/span>would <\/span>have <\/span>controlled <\/span>or <\/span>moderated <\/span>the <\/span>fire <\/span>for <\/span>cooking <\/span>or <\/span>warmth, <\/span>and <\/span>extinguished <\/span>it <\/span>after <\/span>use. <\/span>But <\/span>since <\/span>he <\/span>was <\/span>not <\/span>there, <\/span>the <\/span>fire <\/span>consumed <\/span>everything\u2014<\/span>symbolizing <\/span>how <\/span>sin <\/span>or <\/span>divine <\/span>judgment, <\/span>once <\/span>unleashed, <\/span>can <\/span>be <\/span>beyond <\/span>our <\/span>control.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Spiritual <\/span>Meaning <\/span>of “<\/span>Inspiration” <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>New <\/span>Testament<\/span><\/h3>\n

When <\/span>we <\/span>move <\/span>into <\/span>the <\/span>New <\/span>Testament<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>the <\/span>concept <\/span>of “<\/span>inspiration” <\/span>takes <\/span>on <\/span>a <\/span>spiritual <\/span>dimension<\/span><\/strong>. <\/span>It\u2019s <\/span>used <\/span>to <\/span>describe <\/span>the <\/span>receiving <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>often <\/span>symbolized <\/span>by <\/span>wind <\/span>or <\/span>breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

John <\/span>20:<\/span>22<\/span><\/h4>\n
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\u201c<\/span>And <\/span>when <\/span>He <\/span>had <\/span>said <\/span>this, <\/span>He <\/span>breathed <\/span>on <\/span>them, <\/span>and <\/span>said <\/span>to <\/span>them, \u2018<\/span>Receive <\/span>the <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/em> \u2014 <\/span>John <\/span>20:<\/span>22 (<\/span>NKJV)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Here, <\/span>Jesus <\/span>breathed<\/span><\/em> (<\/span>Greek: <\/span>enephus\u0113sen<\/span><\/em>) <\/span>on <\/span>His <\/span>disciples\u2014<\/span>this <\/span>was <\/span>a <\/span>symbolic <\/span>act <\/span>of <\/span>inspiration. <\/span>It <\/span>was <\/span>a <\/span>prophetic <\/span>gesture<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>foreshadowing <\/span>the <\/span>actual <\/span>outpouring <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit <\/span>that <\/span>would <\/span>take <\/span>place <\/span>a <\/span>few <\/span>days <\/span>later <\/span>at <\/span>Pentecost.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acts <\/span>2:<\/span>1\u2013<\/span>4<\/span><\/h4>\n
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1 <\/span>When <\/span>the <\/span>Day <\/span>of <\/span>Pentecost <\/span>had <\/span>fully <\/span>come, <\/span>they <\/span>were <\/span>all <\/span>with <\/span>one <\/span>accord <\/span>in <\/span>one <\/span>place.<\/span>
2 <\/span>And <\/span>suddenly <\/span>there <\/span>came <\/span>a <\/span>sound <\/span>from <\/span>heaven, <\/span>as <\/span>of <\/span>a <\/span>rushing <\/span>mighty <\/span>wind, <\/span>and <\/span>it <\/span>filled <\/span>the <\/span>whole <\/span>house <\/span>where <\/span>they <\/span>were <\/span>sitting.<\/span>
3 <\/span>Then <\/span>there <\/span>appeared <\/span>to <\/span>them <\/span>divided <\/span>tongues, <\/span>as <\/span>of <\/span>fire, <\/span>and <\/span>one <\/span>sat <\/span>upon <\/span>each <\/span>of <\/span>them.<\/span>
4 <\/span>And <\/span>they <\/span>were <\/span>all <\/span>filled <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit <\/span>and <\/span>began <\/span>to <\/span>speak <\/span>with <\/span>other <\/span>tongues, <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>Spirit <\/span>gave <\/span>them <\/span>utterance.<\/span><\/em> \u2014 <\/span>Acts <\/span>2:<\/span>1\u2013<\/span>4 (<\/span>NKJV)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This <\/span>moment <\/span>marked <\/span>the <\/span>fulfillment <\/span>of <\/span>Christ\u2019s <\/span>earlier <\/span>promise. <\/span>The <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit <\/span>came <\/span>down <\/span>like <\/span>a <\/span>mighty <\/span>rushing <\/span>wind<\/span><\/strong>\u2014<\/span>the <\/span>ultimate <\/span>divine <\/span>inspiration<\/span><\/strong>. <\/span>Just <\/span>as <\/span>wind <\/span>intensifies <\/span>a <\/span>fire, <\/span>the <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit <\/span>ignited <\/span>spiritual <\/span>fervor <\/span>within <\/span>them. <\/span>The <\/span>disciples, <\/span>once <\/span>timid, <\/span>were <\/span>now <\/span>bold, <\/span>speaking <\/span>in <\/span>tongues <\/span>and <\/span>proclaiming <\/span>God\u2019s <\/span>Word <\/span>with <\/span>power. <\/span>The <\/span>“<\/span>tongues <\/span>of <\/span>fire”<\/span><\/strong> were <\/span>symbolic <\/span>of <\/span>spiritual <\/span>gifts, <\/span>purification, <\/span>and <\/span>divine <\/span>empowerment.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Effect <\/span>of <\/span>Spiritual <\/span>Inspiration<\/span><\/h3>\n

This <\/span>divine <\/span>inspiration <\/span>transformed <\/span>the <\/span>disciples. <\/span>The “<\/span>small <\/span>flame” <\/span>within <\/span>them\u2014<\/span>their <\/span>simple <\/span>faith\u2014<\/span>was <\/span>now <\/span>fanned <\/span>into <\/span>a <\/span>blazing <\/span>fire<\/span><\/strong>. <\/span>They <\/span>began <\/span>speaking <\/span>words <\/span>full <\/span>of <\/span>power, <\/span>fire, <\/span>and <\/span>life\u2014<\/span>words <\/span>that <\/span>pierced <\/span>hearts, <\/span>brought <\/span>repentance, <\/span>and <\/span>turned <\/span>the <\/span>world <\/span>upside <\/span>down.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit <\/span>didn\u2019t <\/span>just <\/span>rest <\/span>on <\/span>their <\/span>lips (<\/span>as <\/span>symbolized <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>tongues); <\/span>He <\/span>filled <\/span>their <\/span>whole <\/span>being, <\/span>equipping <\/span>them <\/span>for <\/span>miracles, <\/span>signs, <\/span>and <\/span>wonders<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This <\/span>Promise <\/span>Is <\/span>for <\/span>Everyone<\/span><\/h3>\n

This <\/span>experience <\/span>was <\/span>not <\/span>just <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>apostles<\/span><\/strong>. <\/span>The <\/span>Bible <\/span>makes <\/span>it <\/span>clear:<\/span><\/p>\n

Acts <\/span>2:<\/span>37\u2013<\/span>39<\/span><\/h4>\n
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37 <\/span>Now <\/span>when <\/span>they <\/span>heard <\/span>this, <\/span>they <\/span>were <\/span>cut <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>heart, <\/span>and <\/span>said <\/span>to <\/span>Peter <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>rest <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>apostles, \u201c<\/span>Men <\/span>and <\/span>brethren, <\/span>what <\/span>shall <\/span>we <\/span>do?\u201d<\/span>
38 <\/span>Then <\/span>Peter <\/span>said <\/span>to <\/span>them, \u201c<\/span>Repent, <\/span>and <\/span>let <\/span>every <\/span>one <\/span>of <\/span>you <\/span>be <\/span>baptized <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>name <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus <\/span>Christ <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>remission <\/span>of <\/span>sins; <\/span>and <\/span>you <\/span>shall <\/span>receive <\/span>the <\/span>gift <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit.<\/span>
39 <\/span>For <\/span>the <\/span>promise <\/span>is <\/span>to <\/span>you <\/span>and <\/span>to <\/span>your <\/span>children, <\/span>and <\/span>to <\/span>all <\/span>who <\/span>are <\/span>afar <\/span>off, <\/span>as <\/span>many <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>Lord <\/span>our <\/span>God <\/span>will <\/span>call.\u201d<\/span><\/em> \u2014 <\/span>Acts <\/span>2:<\/span>37\u2013<\/span>39 (<\/span>NKJV)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This <\/span>promise\u2014<\/span>the <\/span>gift <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit<\/span><\/strong>\u2014<\/span>is <\/span>available <\/span>to <\/span>all: <\/span>to <\/span>you, <\/span>to <\/span>your <\/span>children, <\/span>to <\/span>those <\/span>far <\/span>away <\/span>in <\/span>time <\/span>and <\/span>place. <\/span>Anyone <\/span>who <\/span>genuinely <\/span>repents<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>gets <\/span>baptized <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>name <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>and <\/span>seeks <\/span>God <\/span>sincerely <\/span>can <\/span>receive <\/span>this <\/span>divine <\/span>inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final <\/span>Reflection<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dear <\/span>reader, <\/span>it <\/span>is <\/span>possible <\/span>that <\/span>God <\/span>has <\/span>placed <\/span>a <\/span>gift <\/span>within <\/span>you, <\/span>or <\/span>a <\/span>calling, <\/span>or <\/span>a <\/span>divine <\/span>purpose <\/span>that <\/span>you <\/span>have <\/span>yet <\/span>to <\/span>discover. <\/span>Maybe <\/span>your <\/span>spiritual <\/span>fire <\/span>is <\/span>just <\/span>a <\/span>flicker\u2014<\/span>a <\/span>tiny <\/span>coal. <\/span>That\u2019s <\/span>not <\/span>a <\/span>problem; <\/span>what <\/span>you <\/span>need <\/span>is <\/span>spiritual <\/span>inspiration<\/span><\/strong>\u2014<\/span>the <\/span>blowing <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit <\/span>upon <\/span>you <\/span>to <\/span>fan <\/span>your <\/span>inner <\/span>fire <\/span>into <\/span>full <\/span>flame.<\/span><\/p>\n

To <\/span>receive <\/span>this, <\/span>the <\/span>Bible <\/span>gives <\/span>a <\/span>clear <\/span>formula:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Repent<\/span><\/strong> genuinely <\/span>from <\/span>your <\/span>sins.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Be <\/span>baptized<\/span><\/strong> in <\/span>water <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>name <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus <\/span>Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Seek <\/span>God<\/span><\/strong> for <\/span>the <\/span>gift <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Holy <\/span>Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    When <\/span>the <\/span>breath <\/span>of <\/span>God<\/span><\/strong> (<\/span>His <\/span>Spirit) <\/span>blows <\/span>over <\/span>you, <\/span>you <\/span>will <\/span>be <\/span>changed. <\/span>That <\/span>fire <\/span>will <\/span>not <\/span>just <\/span>stay <\/span>in <\/span>your <\/span>heart\u2014<\/span>it <\/span>will <\/span>spread <\/span>through <\/span>your <\/span>words, <\/span>your <\/span>life, <\/span>and <\/span>your <\/span>calling.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Maranatha!<\/span><\/strong> \u2014 <\/span>The <\/span>Lord <\/span>is <\/span>coming!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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