Wind

Scientifically speaking, wind is defined as air moving from an area of high pressure to an area of lower pressure. It’s a natural force that surrounds us every day, and although invisible, affects us every day. Sometimes, while biking, I’ll notice that it’s tough to keep moving because I’m riding into the wind, moving the against the way the wind is blowing. Runners experience similar effects. We also sit up and take notice when tornadoes and hurricanes are involved. These rotating storms can destroy strongly constructed buildings as if they were made out of cardboard and can level whole forests. We cannot see the wind, but as these examples demonstrate, we can see its effects.

We observed Pentecost this past Sunday. The disciples and others were gathered in the upper room awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). This sign demonstrates a truth that exists yet today, namely that we can’t see the Holy Spirit but we can see His effects. This was immediately evident in the life of the apostle Peter. He was an apostle who was known for his bold and sometimes rash behavior and even denied his Lord three times on the night of His crucifixion.  He also didn’t understand what Jesus meant when he told him and the other disciples why He had to die and rise again and ascend into Heaven. When the Holy Spirit was poured out, however, Peter and the other disciples began to understand more fully what Jesus promised in John 14 when He promised to send the Comforter. It was in this newfound boldness that Peter preached the sermon that is recorded in Acts 2. He quoted passages from the book of Joel as well as part of Psalm 16 and used them as proof of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even today the Holy Spirit continues to work boldness by guiding God’s people into all truth. He never steers us wrong and always contributes to our understanding of spiritual things. What we know in this life is vague and blurry but someday when we are heaven we will have a fuller understanding of why our lives happened the way they did and what God’s purpose in it all was. “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (I Cor. 13:12). May we be ever thankful for the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives!

Kevin Rau