Life on Fire 3


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?