From the Pulpit: The wind is blowing

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it is comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8

I have many times through the years said to others, “I love the way the wind blows here in South Dakota!” I do like the movement of the landscape created by wind. For instance, who doesn’t enjoy watching July wheat fields bending in pulsing waves – as if a prairie ocean? I enjoy the sound of wind through the cottonwood tree canopy of leaves. I enjoy watching the weather that good winds often stir up.  

But, I think I need to say this year, “enough already!” According to local television meteorologists we are on track to set a new record for the windiest year in South Dakota’s very windy history. As I write this devotion I look back at May winds that destroyed many homes and farms from Salem to Clear Lake to Brookings and points in between. My own family in the Madison area will be clearing and cleaning up wind damaged trees for many months to come.   

The bible speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit, comparing it to the power that comes to us and blows through us like wind. Yes, sometimes the Holy Spirit is moving us to do good and beautiful and even sometimes inspiring things. Sometimes, the winds of life blow and are destructive and we wonder about where they came from and why. Maybe it’s time to stop and think about what we’re doing? … to maybe reconsider purpose and responsibilities?  

To know where the wind comes from and why it’s doing exactly what it’s doing is not ours to know, reminds St. John. (“the wind blows where it pleases.”) What IS ours to know, is that the Spirit does move us and is the presence of God at work in often mysterious ways. We are wise to give thanks for it and sometimes really pay attention to what might be.