One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit in scripture is the wind (Gen 1:2, Acts 2:2). The word Spirit in Hebrew means breath or wind, so that the Holy Spirit could literally be called the Wind or Breath of God. (John 20:22).
On the Day of Pentecost, the apostles were all in the upper room tarrying, just as Jesus had instructed them when suddenly the room was filled with the sound of a mighty rushing wind. It was the sound of power, of force, and of the presence of the Holy Spirit in that upper room (Acts 2:2).
The wind is one of the most powerful forces on the face of the earth and this comparison with the Holy Spirit working in the believer is not by accident. We can take a look at the wind in nature and see what God can do in us and through us by His Spirit.
The wind is a transforming force. The constant blowing of the wind - picking up dirt, sand, rock and even trash over time will transform the appearance of the land. Even in our best of efforts, we are still a long way from where God wants us to be spiritually. He is constantly working on us, changing us, transforming us to become what He wants us to be.
The wind is also a power generating force. Windmills have been used for thousands of years to grind grain and pump water for irrigation. More recently windmill farms have been built to generate electricity. In like manner, the "Wind of God" blowing in our life empowers us in our Christian walk and service.
Finally, the wind is a penetrating and destructive force. We have all seen pictures of the vast devastation hurricanes and tornados can leave behind. There are times when we need the Holy Spirit to move in our life like a warm, gentle, summer breeze and there are other times when we need the "Wind of God" to blow with destructive force and demolish every stronghold, every wall, every obstacle the enemy has around us.
On this day of Pentecost, let us remember that the Spirit, that Wind, the Breath of God is blowing invisibly in and around your life and my life today. That mysterious power that brooded over the face of the waters in the beginning, is in you, is near you, is under you, is over you, is around you, is above you. It is a great power for us, but it is not from us.
The power of the Holy Spirit, which is the power of the church, is not about you making yourself a better you. It is allowing God to do the remaking. It is God's Spirit, not ours, that inflates our sails, that transforms us and gives new birth, that demolishes every obstacle the enemy has before us, now and always; amen.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, Wind of God, blow far from us all dark despair, all deep distress, all groundless fears, all sinful desires, all wasteful worries. Breath of God, Blow into us your holy presence, your new creation, your living love, your healing touch, your unearthly courage, your mighty strength, your perfect peace, your boundless concern, your divine grace, your neverending joy. Wind of God, blow strong, blow fresh, blow on us now. Amen
