Tuesday March 19, 2024

Today is Tuesday, March 19 and we are reading through the third chapter of the Gospel of John.

Blessed Lord God, thank you for the daily joy of reading scripture and spending time in prayer. Speak to me from the ancient words of John’s Gospel and help me understand the message you have for me. Teach me to listen to your still small voice guiding me throughout my day.
Amen.

“You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:7-15

The movement of the wind is mysterious. Because of the science of meteorology we have far superior knowledge of the origin and nature of the wind than people had in the first century. However, we still possess no mastery over its direction. We can predict the wind, feel the wind, see the effects of the wind, yet we have no control over its movements. It is the same with the new birth of the kingdom. This new birth is from God, it is supernatural. The movements of God can be observed and felt, but they are far beyond our knowledge and control.

Despite the mystery of God’s movement we experience its impact. The Holy Spirit of God comes like the wind, moves like a fire, breathes new life and stirs up the spirit. I have utterly no control over the Spirit, but I can pay attention to its movements. I can grow in my awareness of how God is moving in my life and the lives of people around me. I can observe how God is working in every circumstance for good. I can open myself to the Spirit’s movements, invite the Spirit to work and cooperate with what God is doing. I pray, “Come, Holy Spirit.”

On a blustery March day, I pause to appreciate the wind. With my ears, I hear the sound of the wind. With my eyes, I see how the wind moves the trees. I observe how the wind flutters the flags on the flag pole. I experience the touch of the wind on my face, feel it blowing through my hair, its power pressing on my body. On a windy day, the strength of the wind can be felt as I drive my car down the highway. In the same way I am aware of the winds of nature, I can grow in my awareness of the winds of the Spirit. God is always on the move working in the world around me and inviting me to actively participate in what he is doing. If I pay closer attention I will become more cognizant of the movements of God in my midst.

Ask: How is the Holy Spirit speaking and working in my life? How might God want me to grow in my awareness of what he is doing all around me through the activity of the Holy Spirit?

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, reveal yourself and display your movements in the world around me. Thank you for moving in my life and working all things together for good. Help me grow in my awareness of your presence and teach me to cooperate and participate in the good work you are about in the world. Come and go like the wind. Amen.