In the
movie “The Weather Man,” the character played by Nicolas Cage is a television
weather man who is often frustrated with his inability to be accurate in
predicting the weather. He is told
several times that there is little he can do about it, and reminded that “It’s
the wind. It blows everywhere.”
As part
of his encounter with the Jewish religious leader Nicodemus, Jesus explains
about the working of the Holy Spirit.
What concept should not surprise Nicodemus? What do we know about the wind? How is this like the Holy Spirit?
The
Holy Spirit is just as the wind we experience here on earth. It is an invisible force, unpredictable and
unable to be tamed. We cannot know where
the wind will blow or when. We cannot
know where the wind will go after it passes over us.
In the
same way the Holy Spirit is part of the working of God, something we cannot
comprehend because God’s wisdom and ways are far above our own. We do not know where or when the Holy Spirit
might move in our lives. We must simply
be prepared for its presence and be willing to be moved by it.
The
early believers had no idea where or when the Spirit would descend upon
them. It came unexpectedly and in a
powerful way. As it filled each of them
it changed them. They went from being
timid followers to empowered leaders.
But
this was not the only time the Holy Spirit has ever been present. The Holy Spirit can and does move in our
lives today. And just as a sailboat may
have to adjust its sails so it might catch the wind and be propelled forward,
we may need to adjust our hearts and souls to receive the Spirit. When the Spirit enters in, surrounds us,
fills us, we need to be willing to be changed people. We need to be willing to move forward in
boldness and certainty in our faith.
And we
must move with the Spirit. It may be for
a brief moment, a short time of working in a powerful way for God. Or it may be a long lasting effect, the
Spirit making us completely new believers who have the Holy Spirit of God as
that constant companion to be with us in all that we do.
If we
love God and desire to serve His kingdom and share His love we must be willing
to be those changed people and live a life on fire with the Spirit in all we
do.
DAILY
CHALLENGE: How far will you allow the Spirit
to take you?
