Have you ever felt like the wind might just blow you away? I felt that yesterday as high winds swept across northern Colorado. Loud gusts interrupted my attempts at recording podcast lessons as the house creaked and shook. I was also distracted by small grass fires popping up nearby, which can be quite alarming on dry, gusty days. Unless you’re trying to fly a kite, wind can be quite disruptive. However, it’s also a reminder of things unseen.
We cannot see wind, but that does not mean it's not real. We can see what it affects. In winter, we see wind pushing sheets of snow across the sky. In Spring, the wind carries puffs of cotton and other seeds. In summer, butterflies ride on the breeze. And in the fall, gusts of wind release dried leaves from tree branches. Can you think of any other ways we can see wind at work?
Wind can be destructive, as in a hurricane or wildfire. Wind can also be helpful, such as a refreshing breeze on a hot summer’s day, or wind carrying rain clouds across the land to water God’s plants and creatures.
Just as we cannot see wind but can witness what it does, we cannot see God’s Spirit, but we can watch him at work around and inside us. He is very much real, and we can glimpse evidence of him in our lives and in others who follow Christ. Have you felt God’s comfort lately? Have you been reminded of a promise from Scripture that encouraged you? Have you sensed God leading you, or helping you be kind or patient?
Galatians 5:22-23 (NCV) says, “But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong.” When we see these good attributes growing inside us, we glimpse evidence of God’s Spirit at work, like wind carrying flower seeds to grow new plants.
This week, look for evidence of God’s Spirit at work. Perhaps write down ways you see his spirit helping you to grow in faith.
