Wind Invisible But Real
Wednesday November 5, 2014
There's nothing more refreshing than a walk in the evening with a garden-fresh breeze blowing. Whether we are walking around a park or just on the city streets, there's something in the air that feels and smells good as the autumn wind blows around us.
When the wind is blowing we can see the branches of the tree blow back and forth. These days we also see leaves fall to the ground and even see the wind whip up the leaves on the ground in a last dance of fall.
When the wind is blowing we feel it on our cheeks. Our hair blows across our forehead. In the summer when forest fires are burning we see the devastating effects of blowing wind as it spreads the fire. When we go to the ocean we see the effect of the wind on the waves as they roll back and forth. We see all sorts of evidence of the wind.
But, if I were to ask you, “What does the wind look like?” all of us would have a problem answering because none of us can actually see the wind. It's invisible but we all know it's real. Scientists can measure it. When meteorologists tell us about the weather they can tell us what speed to expect the wind to be, what direction it will blow, whether it will be warm or cold, have moisture or be dry.
Jesus used the wind as an example when he was trying to explain to someone about how real and powerful God is, even though we can't see him. Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8 NIV)
God desires, and has provided for us to live with him forever in heaven. However, the only way we can do that is to enter into a new birth that we cannot "see". The new birth is an invisible work of the Spirit of God but it will be visible to those around us. Its effects are as real as the effects of the wind we cannot see!
When we invite Jesus to come into our hearts and forgive our sins we can be assured that it is done. The wind rustling through the leaves of the tree is a simple reminder of that for us. We will find peace and joy growing in our hearts after Jesus takes up residence there. These effects may surprise us because our circumstances are still challenging. However, circumstances are just like the wind coming with moisture and warmth one day and snow and cold another. We may not see the power of the Holy Spirit, but His power is assured because that’s God promise to us.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT)
When we feel the wind today, let's remember Jesus’ challenge to us that we must be born again so that we can live with him forever.
©2014 Partners in Hope
More information on this and other related topics @ www.partnersinhope.ca/resourcesAudio for Wind Invisible But Real
Recent Meditations
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.