“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
Acts 2:1-4
There is controversy surrounding the wind turbines which have sprung up across the countryside and off our shores. Some are convinced they are the sustainable energy source we need for the future, but others doubt their ability to provide large enough amounts. Some people see them as a blot on the landscape and a noisy threat to people and animals in an otherwise peaceful countryside.
I wonder what people thought of the old style windmills when they were built. We see them as quaint and beautiful, something to be preserved. I suspect that the people who built them were less concerned with their aesthetic appearance and more concerned with relieving them of the heavy manual labour they endured.
The power of the wind has been used for centuries to power ships and small boats. Although the wind cannot be controlled, we can align our sails to catch the power to move our vessels or machinery.. However, a sail which is not attached and aligned is useless, merely flapping in the breeze, and a sail which is torn or full of holes loses its effectiveness.
Watching a bird soar on the air currents or seemingly hang in mid air, held only by the wind is breathtaking. Eagles use the air currents to rise above the storms, a fact which has inspired poets and preachers. The understanding of wind direction and air currents has been crucial in the developments of ships and aircraft as well as wind turbines. What can be a hindrance to man or even a destructive power can be used for our advantage if we know how to respond to it and catch the power.
In the bible the power of God is compared to a violent wind. The Holy Spirit came suddenly filling the whole house. This must have been an amazing and terrifying experience; they heard the sound and felt the power and then saw fire! I wonder if they had time to respond at all to this manifestation, or were frozen as it unfolded before them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak other languages. This had not happened before and there is no record that Jesus explained exactly what was about to happen beforehand. Peter seemed to realise that this was what they were waiting in Jerusalem for, the promise of the Holy Spirit as described in Joel.
There is controversy surrounding the men and women who believe that the wind of the Spirit is blowing across the earth today. Do we recognise what is happening or do we accuse the ones who are filled with being drunk? The wind was felt by the disciples who were waiting, aligning themselves with the promise and had knowledge of the scriptures which helped them identify the source of the power. We too must focus our attention on understanding God’s ways, aligning our lives with His word. Then His Spirit will direct us where and how to use the power He imparts.
The wind of the Spirit is not just to be felt and make us flap about. It is meant to be attached to produce acts of power, mercy and love in our lives and the lives of those around us.
The wind of the Spirit will direct us and empower us to act. Just like the boat heads into the wind and is carried along at great speed, we can be exhilarated or afraid when we feel His power. Without it we are adrift in the open sea or turning the millstone by our own effort
The wind of the Spirit lifts us above the storms of life if we open our wings and align ourselves rather than trying to take refuge from His powerful intervention or trying by our own effort to take on the storm. Faith is needed to yield to the wind and allow it to take us.
The wind of the Spirit comes bringing fire to purify us and make us holy, set apart. The Holy Spirit is Comforter – healing our brokenness so that we can give the same comfort to others ; Helper – one who comes alongside – He will never leave us; and Teacher- leading us into the truth. He comes in fullness bringing gifts and the seeds to bear fruit in us, transforming us into the image of Jesus. The Holy Spirit fills us with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! This power gives life to dry bones and builds us into an army of servants, carrying on the work of Jesus.
