“The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
It was not hard to be reminded of this verse on Tuesday evening, when a group of PoP members were gathered under our new tent, set up just last Saturday in the parking lot. The group was gathered to discuss the variety and scope of the various components of a renewal process for our facility, including some much-needed roofing replacement and heating/air conditioning upgrades. While it was a beautifully warm and sunny evening, the wind was particularly gusty, and the walls and roof of our tent were flapping like the sails on a boat and the steel poles creaked like a mainsail mast.
The conversation was wide-ranging and more the volume of variables seemed a little daunting. Then, perhaps serving as a hyperbolic reminder of the importance of maintaining good structural integrity, mother nature delivered a gust of wind so strong that it lifted the tent off the ground, sandbag ballasts and all. Twisting as it came back down again, the roof-spanning joists bent at their joints. Fortunately, it happened in a sort of slow-motion and nothing (besides maybe my pride) was injured. Unfortunately, we had to take down the remaining structure as the bent sections will need to be replaced before the tent will stand straight again.
All of this serves to provide a helpful reminder: there is no controlling the wind. The same is true of the Spirit – God’s activity in the world. We are not in charge. Instead, like a wind-filled sail, God invites us to use the Spirit’s energy to move us forward, into God’s vision for the world.
Another helpful reminder: the wind will continue to blow. We can trust that God will remain faithful to the promise of the Spirit’s presence among us. But are we prepared? I’m wondering what we’ll need to do differently with securing our tent once it’s rebuilt. Will you wonder together with me on what we need to do differently as God’s church to go even further under the power of the Spirit? Where should we point our rudder next?
May God’s peace come to you this day. -Pastor Peter
Let us pray…
Mighty God, you breathe life into our bodies and buildings, and your Spirit brings truth to the world. Send us this Spirit, transform us by your truth, and give us the power to proclaim your gospel, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.