-- from Robert Evans' Scripture Songs
The wind blows where it wishes
and you hear the sound of it
but cannot tell where it comes from
cannot tell where it goes
so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)
As I have been reflecting on this verse, I think of a leaf in the wind. It is totally at the whim of the breeze and moves in response to the slightest change. When we first feel that holy wind stirring within us, most of us try to cling to where we are and what we are. It is when we are able to let go completely and let ourselves be taken by that wind that we are truly able to live our life in the Spirit of Christ - to let ourselves be not only born of the Spirit, but to be borne by the Spirit.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteI've spent a lot of time over the years telling God that I'm getting impatient that he isn't telling me what I want to hear. It's hard for me to be really open to hear the message that I should go in some totally unexpected direction. I suppose I'm more of a rock than a leaf, the wind has to blow pretty dang hard to get my attention. (When Jesus called Peter "the Rock" it might not have been meant as a compliment.) Our sense of self is a kind of weight that keeps us from responding the the gentle breathe of the Spirit. I know I need to work on getting "lighter" and more responsive to these unexpected promptings.
Richard,
ReplyDeleteI imagine that's a feeling that most of us have. Sometimes I feel like I am weighing myself down, other times I feel like I am sticking my finger in the air to see if the wind is even blowing. I just know that I want to be that leaf.
With love,
Mark