The Wind of Change

30-year-old bonsai tree, Phipps Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh, PA

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

Just as I ended writing my blog yesterday morning, the heavens opened up and the rain came thundering down.  The deluge lasted only a short time, then the droplets slowed to a pitter-patter, and finally ceased.  The sparkling earth was newly washed, and the cloud-covered sky brightened with the first hint of sunlight. When I stepped out of the house less than an hour later, however, I was astounded to find a brilliant, neon blue sky totally devoid of even a wisp of cloud.  What had worked this transformation?  A strong, gusting wind that had arisen out of nowhere.

The wind is our third symbol of the Holy Spirit.  We cannot see, smell, taste or touch the wind.  Sometimes we can hear it, other times we cannot.  What we do see is the change that the wind produces.  The Bible uses wind, air and breath to represent the work of the Spirit.  His movements are unknown, unseen.  The only evidence of the Spirit’s working is the change that is wrought in the individual.

One of the most fascinating stories in the Old Testament is found in Ezekiel 37:1-10.  The prophet Ezekiel is given a vision of a valley filled with bleached bones.  As far as the eye could see, there were bones.  God turned to Ezekiel and asked, “Can these bones live?”  I’m sure Ezekiel was taken back by the question, but he wisely answered, “You know the answer to that, Lord.”  God replies, “Ok.  Prophesy to the bones, and tell them that by the Lord’s word, they will come together, bone to bone; sinew and flesh will be added, and you will receive breath, that you may live.”

Ezekiel prophesied as commanded.  Suddenly there was a great shaking, and the bones came together to form skeletons, and sinew and flesh appeared on them.  But they were still dead.  Then God said, “Prophesy to the wind and say, ‘Come from the four winds and breathe upon the dead, that they may live.”  Ezekiel did as commanded; the wind arose and blew over the valley.  The bodies instantly came back to life and formed a huge army.

Our spiritual lives are destitute without the daily presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  God is willing and waiting to bestow the breath of His power.  All we have to do is ask.

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.