With the Wind Behind Us

As I’m sure you know, Hebrew uses the same word for wind and for Spirit. It’s the same in Greek (pneuma).

There’s a round walk we often do. It’s about five miles. We begin uphill – quite steep in parts – and, at the top, we make a circle before the return leg, with a steepish downhill section.

A few weeks ago, it was really windy. But the wind was behind us on the uphill bit. It made the climb so easy! When we got to the downhill part, the strong wind was right in our faces. Going down was a lot harder than coming up. As I leant into the wind, I felt that God was reminding me that what looks hard is always so much easier if we are going in the Spirit’s direction; and what looks so easy becomes a real battle if we are going against the Spirit.

Of course, I know that, when I’m wondering what to do, the apparently easy way may not be the Spirit’s way. But even so, it’s tempting to take the easy-looking choice without asking God if it’s His way; and, as often as not, disregarding that tell-tale check in my spirit when I decide to take the easy route.

All kinds of things make a course of action seem difficult. It might need a lot of effort; I might be afraid of criticism; or there’s that that famous excuse, “I tried it before and it didn’t work”; or just simply, “that’s not the way to do it”. Remember Peter? ‘We’ve fished all night and caught nothing’. But then he chose God’s way, and there was an enormous catch (Luke 5:4-6).

Most of the time, it’s pretty obvious which is the right way to go. After all God has given us minds! But sometimes He’ll show us that what looks the easiest way isn’t His way. That’s when we need to take note, feel the wind-direction of His Spirit and get it right.

Prayer: Father, today I commit myself to walk by Your Holy Spirit. Please show me Your way, and give me the grace to trust You enough to take the path You show me, even when it doesn’t seem easy. Amen.