[Jesus, still speaking to Nicodemus,] “Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’
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.”
Much like Jesus’ words to Nicodemus I find the deep mystery of the Spirit’s movements beautiful, comforting, overwhelming, hard to describe, frustrating and at times hard to decipher. When I read these words from the Gospel of John (a book well known for it’s mysterious and ethereal sensibilities) I wonder how then do I recognize the Spirit? If I can’t see it then I have to rely on my other senses. What does it mean to hear, smell, taste or feel the movement of the Spirit? Once again we’re given the metaphor of the wind to describe the indescribable.
As you may have noticed I add an image each day to my reflection and I’ll tell you, looking for an image of wind is a lesson in itself. Obviously, as Jesus says, you cannot see the wind. So images of wind by itself would be quite boring wouldn’t they? Instead I had to think creatively searching for images that give evidence to something happening that is not readily visible. I had to stop and wonder, what evidence is there for blowing wind and then look for that evidence such as blowing branches or flowers floating in the wind.
In a similar way we work to decipher the movement of the Spirit by seeking the evidence of God moving in, with and around us. Where have you seen evidence of the invisible and mysterious Spirit moving around you? In your family, your neighborhood and communities, in other parts of the world? What are the signs that God is blowing new life, troubling waters and shaking things up in order to remind you of where you come from and to whom you belong?
May the invisible breath of the Holy Spirit
be made visible through the evidence of
God’s love and compassion in your life,
May the winds of the Spirit be gentle where you need comfort,
forceful where you need a divine push,
and lively in the place you most desire new life.
AMEN
(453)