Seeing the Holy Spirit in the Wind of God

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. . . . so it is with every one born of the Spirit,” Jesus said to Nicodemus when the Pharisee asked about entering the Kingdom of Heaven.  (John 3:8).  This verse, combined with my experience of kayaking on Lake Ontario, prompted this reflection.While kayaking I cleared the river harbor and the lake’s break water, and then paddled out into open water.  I headed west into the wind, paddling hard feeling the resistance of the wind on my face.  I began to praise and pray to Our Father.  My life had been in a season of “difficult times”, and I was asking for direction and peace.The pale blue sky was decorated with feathery clouds, the sun was brilliant, and the small waves glistened with white and gold splashes of light.  After I was away from the shore by one-half a mile, I eased up on the paddling, and closed my eyes. I let the wind and waves take me where they would.  Within minutes my kayak was turned 180 degrees around, heading eastward.The message I received from the Lord is this:wind is like the activity of the Spirit in my life.John wrote that there are similarities between the wind and the Holy Spirit.  If I would permit myself to be turned in the direction where the wind (that is, the Spirit) wanted to move me, my journey in life would be easier.  I would flow where the wind (Spirit) took me.  In contrast, if I continued to strain against the wind, resisting the movement of the Spirit, my task would be difficult.So I asked the Word of God: what is the role of wind in God’s economy?  I share these thoughts with you because they may broaden your understanding of how the Spirit operates.  For the sake of this study, I am equating the activity of the wind by the hand of God with the movement of the Holy Spirit.Wind is an instrument used by the Lord God Almighty.—  Wind caused the waters around Noah’s Ark to recede.—  Wind rolled back the waters of the Red Sea, forming a path for the fleeing Hebrews.—  Wind churned the Sea of Galilee making it tempest-tossed to show forth Jesus’s power over the wind and the waves.Scripture says The Lord brings wind from his storehouses in Heaven. (Ps. 135:7, Jer. 10:13).—  Wind brought deliverance and provision to the Israelites, driving into Egypt (and then out) the plague of locusts.—  Wind blew in quail for Hebrew food in the wilderness.—  Wind filled the house in Jerusalem with a violent demonstration of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.The Heavenly Father also has used wind as an instrument of judgment.  Jeremiah said a strong wind would pronounce judgment on the people in Jerusalem (Jer. 4: 12).—  Wind blew the rebellious Hebrews’ idols away (Is. 57:13). —  Wind shook the huts of people because of their guilt (Is. 24:20).—  Wind caused the house of Job to collapse.—  Wind blows away the chaff, capsizes ships (Jonah), and shakes fruit off  fig trees.God, who created the winds, has gathered them up in his hands.  While I recognize the difference between wind and the Spirit, it is exciting for me to consider this:  these actions done by the wind at the hand of God may be similar in function to the Holy Spirit.—  The wind or the Spirit can operate to move water and thus testify to God’s power.—  The wind or the Spirit can judge and convict the hearts of people drawing us closer to God.—  The wind or the Spirit will provide trials and victories in our spiritual walk revealing more of His Divine character.The prophet Amos reminded us that Our God, who created the the winds, reveals his thoughts to mankind. I believe one way God shows himself to us is through what he has created, in this case — His Divine Wind.  As we reflect on it, we see more about how the Holy Spirit can come from God’s heavenly storehouse and do mighty acts in our lives.Come Wind.  Come Spirit.  Come Jesus. In Christ,