People always get a little restless when the wind blows. When the wind blows, it’s time to close the windows, or else the blinds will start making noise and the doors will start slamming.
When the wind blows, it’s time to fold up the patio umbrella.
When the wind blows, it’s time to make sure your seat belt is securely fastened as you come in for a landing, as it’s likely to be a bumpy one.
When the wind blows, it’s time to head to the basement or the storm shelter.
A light to moderate breeze is enough to stir things up, make things exciting. That’s the time to enjoy listening to the windchimes or to go fly a kite.
Stronger winds stir things up to a greater degree.
When I lived in a rural part of northern California, I had a metal shed out behind the house. One day a strong south wind picked up that shed, flipped it over two fences, and sent it tumbling across the neighbor’s field.
The rush of a mighty wind is a serious thing.
Pentecost is one of the three major Christian holidays, the other two being Christmas and Easter. During certain periods of church history, especially during the early years of the church, Pentecost was of the highest significance, equal to Easter, and of greater significance than Christmas, which didn’t become important until later.
However, today Pentecost has become less popular than Christmas and Easter.
According to Barbara Brown Taylor, Pentecost is different because, unlike Christmas and Easter, “Pentecost is not as much about what God has done for us as what God wants us to do in the world, which isn’t nearly as attractive to most of us.”
Christmas is about what God has done for us.
Easter is about what Christ has done for us.
Pentecost is about what the Spirit wants us to do for the world.
When the wind blows, when the Spirit moves, it’s time to get up and act.
Before Pentecost, the disciples were followers. They were learners. They were observers.
Before Pentecost, it was all about watching Jesus. There were a few tests, a few hands-on experiences. But it was really all about Jesus.
At Pentecost, that changed. The wind began to blow. The Spirit filled the disciples. And they became do-ers of the faith, leaders of the movement. And the world began to change.
Do you feel the Spirit starting to move? Do you notice the breeze starting to pick up?
Every time you feel the wind blow across your cheek…
Every time you see the leaves start to move…
Every time you hear the windchimes…
Every time the curtains billow or the blinds vibrate…
Every time a door slams shut…
Take notice!
Take notice of God’s Spirit.
Take notice of what the Spirit is calling you to do, now, in this moment of your life.
On this day, the wind is blowing. Do you feel it? The spirit is calling. Do you hear it? It is calling to you act, to do what is right.
Now is the time to do what is right. The Spirit is always present, and it is always time to do what is right.
Why should I use my turn signal when no one pays attention? Because it’s the right thing to do.
Why should I put my litter in the trash when everyone else throws it on the ground? Because it is the right thing to do.
Why should I go to church on Sunday when everyone else is sleeping in or going to the beach? Why should I give my money to the church when all my friends are spending their money on iPods or trips to Disneyland? Why should I care for the church building when my own house needs painting? (Or, why should I care about helping to start new congregations when there’s so much work to be done at my own?)
Why should I work for justice on behalf of the children of Uganda? Why should I speak out on behalf of those who are still denied rights here in America?
Because the Spirit is calling me to action. It is restless. It never ceases. The spirit is calling me to do what is right, starting right now.
Listen to the wind. What is God’s Spirit stirring up in you? What is the Spirit calling you to do?
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