Wind

Wind

A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough . . . . . they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. John 6:18-19

Years ago I was trying to win a young man to Jesus. He was a rough kid who had narrowly escaped death in a bar fight. He’d lost the use of his right hand in the fight and his injury only added to his anger.

I decided that this young man needed to go to youth camp with us and I began praying to that end. Every time I brought up the camp to my friend he just laughed at me. He had no interest in going.

On the day we were leaving for camp I stopped by his house for one final ask. He was out in his yard, so our conversation took place outside. A late spring cold front was blowing in that morning, and the wind was really picking up. I told my friend that every gust of wind was Jesus telling him how much he loved him and that he should go to camp.

The crazy thing is that the more we talked, the harder the wind blew. After just a few minutes we had to shout to hear each other over the wind. Finally, my friend plopped his heavy right hand on my shoulder and said, “Tell him to stop. I’ll go!”

It’s curious to me that the very storm the disciples feared is the one that brought Jesus to them. Sometimes Jesus is in the still small voice, and other times he’s in the rushing wind.

At some point today you’re probably going to feel the wind in your face. Don’t miss the point. The words for wind and spirit in the New Testament are one and the same. And how did the Spirit show up in the Upper Room in Acts 2? In a mighty rushing wind.

Lord, let your wind blow today.