Casandra Martin

It was windy today. It was a leaf-swirling, hair-blowing, pull-your-hood-up kind of wind. It whistled through the air, blunting the warmth of the sun climbing in the sky.

Walking in the wind brought the words of Jesus to my mind. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8.

Jesus uses the wind to give us a picture of the work of the Spirit in our hearts. You can’t see the wind, but you can feel its effects. It moves around you, through you, and in you. It can change your course and raise your awareness. Your steps are helped or hindered depending on whether you are walking with the wind or against it. Walking with the wind propels you forward. It gives you a push in the right direction. It almost makes you feel like you are flying. Walking against the wind is daunting. It pushes you back, trying to turn your steps around. It takes extra effort and an increasing resolve to continue to walk against the wind. With every step, you have to think about putting the other foot on the ground. The wind tries to slow you down enough to think about where your next footprint falls.

I love this picture of the wind and the Spirit. We take the wind for granted. We sometimes view it as annoyance. Living in hurricane country, I respect the power of the wind. It can be unstoppable. Today a stiff breeze reminded me to pay attention to the movement of the Spirit in my life.

My Jesus Resolution today is to deliberately move with the wind. God gives us His Spirit so that He can fill our sails and draw us closer to His heart. I can choose whether to move with the Spirit or against Him. Either way, His purpose is to move me in the direction that most looks like Jesus. He wants to propel me forward, but will push against me if that is what is required. Pay attention when you walk outside today. Whether it is a stiff wind or a gentle breeze, let it remind you of God’s presence and His desire for you to notice Him.