Though wind power failed during our winter storm in February, Texans know March winds will more than make up for February’s failures. As a runner, I’m sensitive to the wind. 

Sometimes I get the gentle nudge of a tailwind. 

Sometimes the wind swirls and provides much needed cooling. 

Sometimes it’s a wall, whose force humbles me as I strain against it. 

Scripture often presents the Holy Spirit as wind. The Greek word, pneuma, means wind or breath. As word pictures go, this one isn’t great for me. I live in Tornado Alley. Wind is not always a friend in Texas. 

Likewise, the Holy Spirit can unsettle me. Though the Spirit comes cloaked in a bit of mystery, Paul assures us it’s okay and even best, to go with His flow:

• “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV
• “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” Romans 7:6
•  ^“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
• “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6

To go with the Spirit’s flow requires us to develop sensitivity to the Spirit’s movement. To cultivate an awareness of and a desire to join Him. To nurture a willingness to wait when He is still as well.

It’s a dialogue, not dictation.

A dance, not a directive.

So, how to?

1. Listen. This is my greatest challenge. I talk too much. God wants us to wait for His response. 

2. Be specific. We can advocate for world peace, and God’s fine with that, but when we pray about a specific point of tension between two of our children or about a specific need, God answers specifically too. 

3. Respond to Him. Steps of obedience. Words of gratitude. Songs of praise. Let’s respond as He leads us.

Embrace the way of the Spirit. New heights await. 

Activities:

1. Do you find it difficult to trust the free-flowing Holy Spirit as opposed to following a written code like the Ten Commandments? What are the pros and cons of each?

2. Blow up some balloons. What do you learn about breath? How does the breath affect the balloon? Do you have any spiritual insights?

3. Fly a kite. How does the wind affect the kite? Do some kites respond to the wind better than others? What spiritual parallels do you see?

4. Compare the balloon and the kite. How does breath affect each? How does wind affect each?  What spiritual truths are clarified?