Miriam Thurlow writes:

One of the ways the Bible talks about the Holy Spirit is calling the Spirit wind. The Hebrew word is ruakh which can mean wind, breathe, or spirit and when it is used it is talking about something which animates and brings things to life. I have found it helpful to spend some time exploring what it means when the Holy Spirit is called wind, and here are a few of my reflections:

In John 3:8 Jesus says: The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.

Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit, and we can learn 4 things about who God is from this verse:

· We cannot choose what God does or control God, the wind of the Holy Spirit blows where it wishes

· But we can see and hear the Holy Spirit at work, where the Holy Spirit is animating and transforming.

· We cannot generate the power of the Holy Spirit ourselves, but we can invite the Holy Spirit to come and move.

· Neither can we control the direction of the wind, but we can learn to recognise and follow where the Holy Spirit is leading.

It’s not about manipulation for our own gain, but learning to recognise and follow, and do things that would not be possible on our own.

At the end of Acts (Chapter 27) Paul is travelling to Rome to appear before Caesar, but along the way things don’t go to plan and his ship ends up being shipwrecked. However, while everyone around him is panicking, Paul remains calm because he puts his trust in God. He tells the people of the ship: take courage. For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island.

Things didn’t go to plan for Paul’s journey, and they did end up being shipwrecked, but all on the ship survived. Paul trusted the leading of the Holy Spirit and yes it led to a shipwreck, but it also led to a community being transformed by Jesus (read Acts Chapter 28!).

God wants us to join Him in His kingdom work, to recognise where the wind of the Spirit is blowing, where His power is moving, and to follow

Him. Not to seek to control or manipulate for our own gain, but to obediently and faithfully follow so others might see His goodness.

But, like Paul on the boat, we might be taken in some surprising directions along the way! Are we ready to respond, to recognise where the wind is blowing, and to follow? Are we ready to hear and obey?

Miriam Thurlow Curate CCBN