Ruach

Do you remember the moment when you were outside one time in a violent storm? The wind was howling around your ears. Maybe you were on your bike and barely making headway. Maybe you had a heavy downpour and had to watch out for falling tree branches.

You experience something of the power at such a moment. You cannot stop the wind. There is little you can do to change it. It is best to hold on tight; otherwise you will be blown over.

And, do you remember the moment you sat in the evening chill? Just sitting in the garden, or by the water's edge in the silence. A gentle breeze surrounding you.

In such a moment you experience something of the refreshment—the pleasant coolness after a hot day—a welcome gift that surrounds you.

You feel the wind.

You hear the wind.

You see the power of the wind.

You notice the effect of the wind.

But you don't know where the wind comes from, do you?

And where the wind blows to? That's a tricky one, too, isn't it?

Today we reflect on a statement Jesus made in the conversation with Nicodemus. Jesus says the wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear it, but you don't know where it's coming from and where it's going. There is something intangible in it. It just happens.

So is "everyone born of the Spirit.”

You feel it.

You hear it.

You see the power.

You notice the effect.

But pinpointing exactly what happens, you can't. Where does it come from? Where does it go? It is a mystery and unfathomable to the "non-spiritual" (verse 3).

You also encounter this wind—Ruach—at the very beginning of the Bible. In Hebrew, "ruach" is the word for spirit, breath, or wind. There it is the Spirit of God—Ruach—that hovered over the waters. And look what a wonderful work of creation followed.

Where the wind of God's Spirit moves the most beautiful things happen. In Acts, for example, you read how people are able to hear the apostles speak in their own language. The Spirit breaks down boundaries. The Spirit makes people one who would have thought that impossible before. God knows no boundaries in culture and language.

The wind of His Spirit blows everywhere and wherever He wills!

Take the following questions to think about:

• What do Jesus' words in John 3:8 mean?
• Even though you cannot interpret the wind—Ruach—you can be deeply impressed by it. Have you ever been?
• Where have His breath, His wind, His Spirit touched your life? Can you share something about that with someone today?

Prayer:

"Lord, what You do is often elusive to me. But when You move with Your Spirit it has so much impact. Lord, move in me too, and give me eyes to see what You are doing. I want to worship You for who You are and for the wonderful work You are doing in people. Amen."