Whispering Wings

In the beginning, you hovered over the waters, wings beating like a mother bird watching her young. Wings strong, silent, stirring the waters, whispering to all of creation, bestowing life. You who hovered in the beginning, you who made the heavens and the earth, you also made me. Your wings beat and the “breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

I have known your presence and seen you hover, heard the whispering beat of your wings as you watch over me. I have felt the quickening of life within, the first breath, the stirring of spirit within my soul. I know your presence in day’s first light, the infant’s cry, the pull of ocean waves, and the gnarled trees raising their arms heavenward. All around and all within, you hover. I feel the wind of your wings and hear their whispering beat. 

Let the whispering wind of your wings become a violent storm within my inner being. Spark the embers of your spirit within my soul that it may flame brightly with your power and love.

Blow Wind, Blow

What a warm, windy day for a walk. In the gorgeous 65 degree February weather, I ventured outdoors to walk the nature trails.  Even in the middle of winter, with the trees shorn of their green summer finery, I enjoyed my walk along the paths that meander across meadows, beside the stream, and through the forest.

Even though I walked alone, the wind became my constant companion. At times the wind pushed from behind, its gusts quickening my steps. Other times, it blew at me from the side, causing my hair to fly all around and into my eyes and mouth. When the wind blew straight toward me, it cooled my exercise-warmed face.

At other times, the wind left my side and blew high above me. Though I couldn’t see or feel it, I was still aware of its presence. As it blew through the treetops high above me, the bare branches creaked and groaned from its force. Rushing through the treetops the wind whooshed along, reminding me it was still near.

As I listened to its rushing noise I remembered the passage in Acts, chapter two, where I learned that the Holy Spirit first appeared like a rushing wind. Today I listened to the wind in the trees and I wondered: how often does God’s Spirit rush near me and I fail to listen? How often does God’s Spirit push at me from behind, urging me to step up, and I ignore it? How often do I fail to respond to the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit?

Father God, open my eyes and ears to see and hear your Spirit working in my life, and teach me how to respond to its influence.

John 14:26 “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”