As I sit looking out my window I hear the literal roar of the wind as it visibly rocks the trees back and forth like a wild dance. There is no visible sign of a storm in the sky, nor is there one in the weather forecast for at least a hundred mile radius. The sun is glaring, giving the illusion of warmth. The wind chill factor makes it feel like it is 10 degrees, not in the 30’s that my thermometer reads.
The mixed messages make me think of the spiritual times we find ourselves in. The Spirit of God is moving, of that I have no doubt. Many people are hopeful, but many hear the roar of the Spirit and are afraid. It is loud and scary if one is not grounded in our Creator and in His Holy Spirit. By allowing the Spirit to fill us and lead us we can ride with and on the wind instead of being blown over by it.
John 3: 8 “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
The wind of the Spirit itself is imperceptible to the eye. The effects of it though are often easy to see. Like the tree that fell in a wind storm last week and took out our electrical lines for several hours, the power of the Spirit is seen in physical and emotional healing that comes through forgiveness and repentance.
With our human eyes the things going on around us often appear hopeless and confusing. The prophet Isaiah speaks for God when he said [emphasis mine]:
Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
So, how do we soar on the wind of the Spirit?
Rest, trusting that God really does know what is happening. (v8-9)
Listen, to the word of God and wise counsel from friends who are ahead of us in learning to soar. (v 6 & 11)
Step out, believing “He who calls in faithful and He will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians. 5:24
It’s not always pretty, but that is how we learn.
Finally, hold on for the ride of your life! Life on the wind of the Spirit is an adventure like no other.
