The wind across the water

           I was at the park with my daughter when she was only a few years old.  We had brought her fishing pole with us.  There wasn't a hook on it.  Just a weight.  She had been getting really good at casting.  So we walked down by the pond, sat under the trees, and pretended to be fishing.  She averaged about 2 casts a minute.  Not very patient.  But it was fun.  Then something happened that opened my eyes.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  Nothing I hadn't seen before.  Just something profound.  The wind moved across the water.  But the way it moved was inspirational.  It came from three different directions, causing ripples galore.  Trees swayed.  My hair did a dance. (back when it could!). And my daughter shivered.  But as quickly as it came, it went.  And it left me wondering.  In amazement.

            This is truly how the Spirit moves.  Powerfully, yet gently.  Swaying the trees but not braking the branches.  Quietly.  Invisibly.  You can't hear the wind itself, nor can you see it.  You can only see the effect of its power and hear the responses of those things it touched.  The leaves.  The water. 

            How do we know the Spirit is there?  How do we know It is working?  The same way we know the wind is there.  We see the people moving who have been touched.  We see the responses of those around us when they hear the message of salvation.  When the Spirit moves, there is power.  It comes quickly.  Quietly.  From every direction.  It causes ripples.  Makes hearts move and respond as the leaves to the breeze.  Sometimes it is gentle.  Like a spring breeze.  Other times it is fierce.  With the power of a storm.  But above all, it cannot be stopped. 

Raise your sails.  Let the power of the Spirit be the force that moves you.

SDG