Do You Get Caught Up in the Winds?
In Rusk, TX where they are working relentlessly on their property that will be a blessing to many, I received this text message from my daughter on Thursday: “It’s intense here; 60+ mph winds! Our contractors are having to take measures on our house so that it doesn’t come apart. Please pray for secure protection in Jesus’ name!” I, and others, prayed. And, thanks be to God, the contractors did get the home secured.
Those winds began at my home in Austin on Wednesday when I and other undaunted pickleball players tried to play some usual, no-winds, game. We found that those of us on the south side of the court hit the ball and it fell short of the lines on the other side because the wind was going against us. And on the other side of the court, with the winds at our back, we’d hit the ball outside the lines too far! Then on Thursday, those winds picked up. I heard them from inside and when I stepped outside, the gusts blew my coiffed hairdo into a tangled mess!
I noticed when I walked against the wind, I had no help from its strength. I had to dig in with my strength to press against those winds that slowed me down. But when I turned and had the force of those winds against my back, I had extra power behind me to enable me to walk beyond my own power. I’ve known winds and so have you!
There’s some commentators on TV and social media who we might call “windbags”. They deliver messages of woe, defeat, and negativity about this and that. I stay away from those windy “winds”! I also do my best to shut the windows and doors on the boisterous winds that bring trouble and concern into my life. But, bring on those exhilarating winds that help us fly a kite and the gentle winds that blow through our lives and changes everything about our attitude AND altitude! There’s something to be said for the extra push and drive we need from the winds of a friend who encourages us, and even more so by the winds that Jesus likened to the Holy Spirit.
I count on the winds of the Holy Spirit daily. Those winds bring me comfort during pain and sorrow; strength in times of weakness and peace in the middle of any storm that comes my way. The winds of the Holy Spirit are the most wonderful and most mysterious blessing of all! If you’ve ever prayed in grief or discouragement and suddenly felt comfort or if you’ve asked God for help in making a decision and felt a dawning awareness of what the right choice should be, then you’ve already met the Holy Spirit and His winds.
The Spirit does the very things that Jesus Himself did while He was with us: He comforts us, helps us to understand truth, provides direction and healing, helps us to admit when we’ve sinned, and reassures us of God’s love. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in the lives of those who love Him. What makes all the difference is knowing that the winds of the Holy Spirit are always here, always encouraging, and always ready to help us when we really need Him.
Perhaps, today, you’re feeling the soft, gentle breezes of the Holy Spirit drawing you into a relationship with Jesus Christ. God said: “I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you”. (Jeremiah 31:3) He’s nudging you to commit your life to God. If you are already a Christian, the Spirit may be calling you to a more devoted life to Christ and even to a life of greater service to others. Whatever He might be saying to you, God asks you to believe that His Spirit is there, near you, watching you, giving you the power to overcome, be more faith-filled and drawing you closer into Himself. Go ahead. Lean in. Experience those cool, gentle breezes of Holy Spirit right now, this very day.