Leaves Blowing!

November 5, 2020

Leaves Blowing!

The leaves are blowing from west to east down the street.  They pretend they know where they are going but just to challenge their confidence the wind shifts direction.  Off they scurry to the south between the space between the neighbors’ houses. 

The leaves move freely along the tops of waving grass blades.  I watch as they join the leaves falling from the trees towering far above the ground.  No sooner have they left my sight than the wind whips down the street and brings a new crowd of leaf recruits. 

It is fall in Western Nebraska; beautiful fall colors, falling leaves, and some wind.  I enjoy the cooler temperatures, the sounds of harvest, and the subtle preparations for winter.  Life is good, friends are good, and God is good. 

My mind drifts back to the leaves.  As they blow in the wind, I am reminded of something Jesus said.  In John 3:8 Jesus tells a wise man; “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.”

Jesus reminded a man seeking to know more of God that although we cannot see the wind we can see the influence the wind has on the rest of creation.  I think of the wind blowing leaves in a Western Nebraska town or the wind of a hurricane bearing down on the Louisiana coast or the wind fanning the flames of a Colorado wildfire. 

We cannot see the wind but we can see the influence the wind has on the things around it; the leaves are blowing!

Jesus was talking about more than the wind, though.  After commenting about the wind, Jesus says; “So it is with everyone who is if born of the Spirit.”  I cannot see the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, but I can see the influence it is having on people who are filled with the Spirit. 

I look at my life and wonder if other people can see the influence the Holy Spirit is having in my life.  Sometimes I look at people who claim to be Christ-followers to see if I can discern the influence the Spirt is having in their life.

The Spirit blows like the wind to change everything He touches.  The Apostle Paul describes this change or influence of the Spirit as fruit.  In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul writes; “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  The fruit is the evidence of the Spirit’s influence in our lives.

Leaves blowing.  Spirit producing.  Lives changing.

It is interesting that the words the Bible often uses for “Spirit” have literal meanings of “wind” or “breath.”  Invisible but influential.  Imperceptible but empowering.  Indiscernible but inspiring.

When you see the wind blowing in Western Nebraska let it remind you of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit stirring in you.  The Spirit is moving in you to influence you in the direction of “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

I imagine you have a friend who is questioning the presence or maybe even the power of God.  Your friend may be uncertain whether God can provide for their needs or protect them from the threats mounting around them.

Invite your friend to pay attention to leaves blowing.  Remind them that the Spirit is like the wind; they may not be able to see the Spirit but the Spirit is still with them to empower and inspire them.  When the two of you discern the influence of the Spirit, you will both delight in the Spirit’s presence.

Take delight in the Lord!

Doug