The wind blows where it wishes

and you hear the sound of it,

but do not know where it comes from

and where it is going;

so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

John 3:8

Dr. James S. Stewart wrote in his book, The Wind of the Spirit, these words: “Listen to the wind, Nicodemus! Listen to the wind! You can hear its sound–the night is full of it, listen to it in the tops of the trees–but where it has come from and where it is going no man knows. Now, Nicodemus, the Spirit of God is just like that–invisible yet unmistakable, intangible, yet full of power, able to do wonderful things for you if only you stand in its path and turn your face to it and open your life to its influence. Just listen to the wind, Nicodemus! Listen to the wind!” (John 3:1-21)

I can’t explain to you what motivated me as a young girl to walk down to the front of the First Christian Church at Poteau, Oklahoma that day when I gave my heart and life to Jesus. I just knew somehow that today I was supposed to make that decision. Nor can I logically defend my position when I raise my hands in Church or go to the altar and kneel. I can’t even explain to you why I call a friend when some impulse says, “I need to call Linda.” There is something inside of me that motivates me. I can’t explain it. But I am certainly not going to deny that it is there just because I can’t understand it. I feel it at times. I see the evidence of it in the lives of other people.

Dr. Stewart’s explanation confirms those times in my life and in yours when a “power” within you suggests you minister to some person or take a step of faith that is pretty scary. Oh, I know. There are trained people who analyze the wind. There are “high pressure systems” and “low pressure systems” but what causes the systems? The global warming trend? What causes the global warming trend? There are cold fronts and warm fronts and arctic air–but you eventually come to the end of your reasoning power. Pope X, regarding such wonders, said, “What I call God, and fools call nature.” In the darkest night, if you open the windows and listen, you will hear the wind, and know that God is stirring, never slumbering, never resting…

I wonder do we listen carefully? Do we open our lives to this intangible, unmistakable, unexplainable Spirit that “whispers” to us? That “power” that is able to do wonderful things for us?

Let’s go outside and listen to the wind, watch it work as it touches everything around us, feel it on our face then shake our heads in wonder and say, “Lord, I want Your wind of the Spirit to blow on me–I’m listening. Guide me. Use me, please.”

Earth is crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees takes off his shoes;

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.

E. B. Browning

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