The wind blows where it wills
by Pastor Peter Bean
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The wind blows where it chooses … you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).
Read John 2:23–3:15
At the time of writing, it is very windy, in fact, gusty. Has been for a few days now. I don’t really mind it, except when it is mixed in with droplets of rain, or it pushes the netting off my fruit trees! I know the wind is freshening the atmosphere, dispersing pollution, helping with pollination. I know there will be blissful days of calm to follow.
But I have no idea when that will be. Despite reading books on clouds and weather, I also have no idea where this wind is coming from, except somewhere vaguely from the west or south-west!!
As Christians filled with the Spirit, which we all are, we are told we are like this. We can be exuberantly gusty one day and blissfully calm the next. Probably all of us tend to one a bit more than the other. The great thing is both are valuable; both are worthwhile and both bring benefits.
As followers of Christ, it is good to be gusty: to blow the netting off some things which need to be freed up; to freshen our churches and communities; to help with pollination – some of us are called to plant seeds; some to water; some to help God give growth (see 1 Corinthians 3:5–9). We all have a role.
As followers of Christ, it is good to be blissfully calm: to be the calm in someone else’s storm; to be still and know God; to wait for the still quiet voice (1 Kings 19:12).
Look forward to the wind blowing in ways you don’t expect, from directions you don’t expect, and at volumes both vast and small. And when that occurs, ask the Spirit to provide wisdom and understanding, and to enable you to live with grace and kindness, mercy and justice. Then the wind blowing where it wills will be a blessing.
Creator God, thank you for examples and metaphors from our daily lives. Help us to be alert to the Spirit’s quiet whisperings and rowdy gusts. Amen.
Peter is often out tending his garden – with 83 fruit and nut trees and extensive native bushes, he says there is a lot to do! Other times, he will be walking his dog, reading (too many books at a time), enjoying his family (15 grandchildren), and occasionally writing – poetry, opinion pieces, devotions! He also tries to fit in a bike ride each day. To keep out of mischief, he is currently teaching himself to play the piano and is writing a paraphrase of each psalm. You can read these on his website, Creative Walking.
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