What We Can Learn from the Wind

The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8 NASB)

I recently participated in a wonderful retreat with women from my church. Known as the Desert Sisters, this community of women provides an opportunity to grow in knowledge and faith each year. This year’s theme was Celtic Spirituality. I admit, I knew very little about the subject before reading the book An Invitation to Celtic Wisdom by Carl McColman. The ancient Celts were the peoples of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Brittany, and Galicia. McColman writes,

“Living as they did on the very end of the world, the Celts forged an identity anchored in a deep sense of nature, a love of their land, a passion for kinship, and a love for the Spirit that embraced beauty and silence, solitude and self-forgetfulness, deep peace and deep listening.”

Nature and the elements of earth, water, fire and air were integral in many of the spiritual practices of the Celts. During one of our small group discussions, we were asked which of the elements most inspired us.  After pondering the question for just a moment, I knew I am most inspired by the air or, more specifically, the wind.

I find the wind a wonderful metaphor for the Holy Spirit and the breath of God.

As a life-long bicyclist, I have learned much from the wind. As a twelve-year-old girl, I got my first “English racer” as they were called. It was a sleek, black, five-speed bicycle, probably a Raleigh, that was so much faster and lighter than my purple Schwinn. I would ride that bike to the top of the hill in my neighborhood and then back down. I felt like I was flying, with the wind blowing my hair. I had a sense of freedom that I still get when I ride an amazing downhill. It reminds me that God has given me free will and the Holy Spirit to guide me.

As a cyclist, there is nothing more joyful than a great ride on a warm summer day with the wind at your back. The riding is almost effortless as an invisible force that doubles your own effort propels you from behind. There is an Irish blessing, which most of you have probably heard, that begins “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back,” and ends with “may God hold you in the palm of his hand.” As in life, when the wind is at our backs; when all is going well; when family is in harmony, work is fulfilling, and the bills are paid, we feel like God is surely holding us in the palm of his protective hand. Life is joyful.

“He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters;
He makes the clouds His chariot;
He walks upon the wings of the wind;”
(Psalms 104:3 NASB)

However, I have learned the most when the wind is in hard, blowing relentlessly in my face, a force resisting my every pedal stroke. I confess, I have prayed for the strength to finish a ride when it’s been uphill, into the wind, for hours. The prayer, though, usually goes something like this: “Oh GOD, why did I agree to do this ride?” God chuckles often, I think. In all seriousness, though, I have learned how to ride facing the wind and still enjoy the ride. First, I have learned not to resist the wind, but rather to lower my head a bit, focus forward, and just keep pedaling. Likewise, in life, there are times and trials when we just have to persevere and keep moving forward.

I have come to appreciate that when riding into the wind, the sound of the wind in my ears mutes the other sounds around me. It’s then that I am not distracted by noise, and I begin to hear the inner voice of my mind and heart. The still, small voice of God, sometimes reminding me that God is God and I am not.

“The LORD responded to Job from the whirlwind and said: ^‘Who is this who keeps darkening my counsel without knowing what he’s talking about? Stand up like a man! I’ll ask you some questions, and you give me some answers! Where were you when I laid the foundation of my earth? Tell me, since you’re so informed! Who set its measurement? Am I to assume you know? Who stretched a boundary line over it? On what were its bases set? Who laid its corner stone while the morning stars sang together and all the divine beings shouted joyfully?’” (Job 38:1-7 ISV)

I have learned that riding in the wind is easier in community. I rarely ride alone. Most often I am riding with my husband or in a small group. “Serious” cyclists will ride in groups of four or five in a pace line, fairly close together. The front rider will break the wind for the riders behind, making it easier for them to ride. Every five miles or so, the front rider drops to the back and rider number two takes the lead. This echelon riding makes the whole group able to go farther with less energy. I much the same way, during tough times when we find ourselves facing the winds of change, illness, or adversity it is always easier with support from the body of Christ. Where would we be without our sisters and brothers “breaking wind” with their prayers and support? It reminds me that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf at all times.

I have learned that riding in the wind makes me stronger, mentally and physically. Adversity does that if you let it. If you persevere in the face of the wind, you gain self-confidence that builds character. The book of Romans reminds us,

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)

Just as the wind is necessary for the eagle to soar and the kite to fly, the wind of the Holy Spirit is necessary for our spiritual growth. I do not know which way the wind will blow today, where it comes from or where it is going. But, I do know that as a follower of Jesus, equipped with the Holy Spirit, I can enjoy this ride of life, whether the wind is blowing my hair, encouraging me from behind, or challenging me head-on. One day that wind will carry me to heaven where I hope to hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Jill Brouhard is a retired medical practice administrator living in southeast Michigan. She and her husband Jerry raised three sons who are all Eagle Scouts. Jill is a self-described “boy mom” who embraced scouting, cycling, and Star Wars so she was not left out of family activities. She has three grandchildren she loves to spoil whenever she gets the chance. She enjoys scrapbooking, bicycle touring, and being involved in the women’s ministry at her church.

Photograph © NeONBRAND, used with permission