Go With the Wind

**Ride with the wind! **

I experienced this truth on the prairies of Canada. I was cycling on my first long-distance ride in Canada, coast to coast. We started our day with an unrelenting head wind that we battled for 3 hours. It was far more difficult than crossing the Canadian Rockies. This “against the wind” experience is etched in my memory. It makes me appreciate what a truly pleasant and peaceful experience it is to cycle with the wind.

In the Bible, the wind is often a metaphor for God’s Spirit. Jesus used this metaphor in his conversation with Nicodemus “The wind blows where 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” (John 3:8).

In cycling, if I can choose a route that goes with the wind I will! Spiritually, I have a similar choice. At times God’s Spirit will direct or convict me about a direction I’m going. I have a choice: do I follow or resist? I have become convinced resisting is like riding against the wind. God allows us the freedom of choice but we miss out on the benefit of his power and resources when we go against the wind, his Spirit’s direction. Out of love, God’s Spirit can be unrelenting.

God has given all Christ-followers his Spirit as an act of love to direct us and protect us. Choosing to follow God’s direction will not change a difficult path but having the “wind at your back”, the enabling of the Spirit, is truly a pleasant and peaceful place in the journey.

Father, thank you for the gift of your Spirit in my life. Lord, may my heart be tender and my ears attentive to his direction. I do seek the enabling work of your Spirit. I need your guidance and power in my life. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Where are you experiencing the wind at your back? Is there a situation when you are traveling against the wind? Is it time to change direction?

This Summer's Faith Challenge for Mike and friends!

Mike is a cyclist! In fact, this summer he will cycle 10,000 Km Sea 2 Sea 2 Sea in Canada for water wells in Africa with 4 friends, starting in Tuktoyaktuk and ending in Halifax. You can discover more information and follow the Cycling 4 Water team progress on their website.