Rushing Wind

We live in a beautiful town that is situated high in the Eastern Sierras. And because of our elevation (6000 feet) and our particular location (tucked at the base of several impressive mountains) we have some pretty extreme winter weather. In a normal winter we will regularly see temperatures in the teens, winds howling at 30 or 40 miles an hour and snow accumulating by the foot. It’s cold, stormy, harsh, and long. And although I do look forward to the crispness of the air and the change of seasons that come with every new winter, by the time March rolls around, I’m dreading every new snowstorm and waiting impatiently for summer!

And that’s why this summer has been such a disappointment. But before I explain why, I have to say that usually summer in our mountains is a “Slice of heaven.” There is nothing like it! An intensely blue sky; Bulging clouds floating lazily by; Our sapphire blue lake, set like the crown jewel of our little town; Whispering aspens calling softly, inviting visitors to come relax in our hammock cradled below.

But, as everyone knows, this summer was a long, hot, smoky, suffocating experience. It started off okay, but got progressively smokier and smokier as wild fires raged out of control. And because of the severity of these fires, I found myself praying that God would protect the fireman, helping them to get the fires out, but also that He would bring a strong wind to blow through our town (and the surrounding towns) blowing out the smoke and bringing fresh, cool air to the region. It seemed like this summer I spent more then a few nights gazing up at the orange moon, the smell of smoke a permanent occupant in my nasal passages, asking God to send a strong, refreshing breeze.

And then something happened that totally changed my perspective on the whole thing. We had a series of special meetings at our church with a visiting Pastor from a Church some 200 miles away. I left those meetings so completely refreshed, invigorated and revived in my relationship with God, that I felt like that the Lord had answered my prayer for a strong wind to blow – only instead, he blew it upon my heart. And this reminded me of a song by Keith Green called “Rushing Wind”.

“Jesus, you’re the one, who set my spirit free,
Use me Lord, glorify, your Holy Name through me.
Rushing wind blow through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within,
Come and breathe your breath upon me,
For I’ve been born again.” (Keith Green)

God’s foremost concern is not that our outward surroundings be as perfectly comfortable and pleasant as possible, but that our spirits be enlivened, stimulated and energized – full of His Spirit! Although I know that God did indeed care about our discomfort during this intensely smoky summer, I believe his priority is always people, not the environment people live in. And what he showed me this summer, is what I really needed was more of Him, not better air quality (although at the writing of this – I’m still praying for the smoke to blow away!).

And that’s what the Lord gave me during those series of meetings. He blew his “Rushing wind” upon my dry heart and infused me with a renewed desire to spend time with him, serve him and worship him. Since then, I’ve found it easy and natural to spontaneously thank Jesus throughout the day for his Holy Spirit and the peace, joy and love that he has once again filled me with. And the good news is that he promises, in his word, to be found by all who seek him! It’s our job to ask him for a fresh touch from his Holy Spirit, it’s his desire to give it to us.

If you feel dull, lifeless and stagnant in your relationship with God these days, I encourage you to ask him for a fresh touch. It may take some time, it may take some prayer, it may take some repentance, but I guarantee – God will come to you with the cool, cleansing, rushing wind of his Spirit – and blow out the smoke within!

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Paula Friedrichsen is a conference speaker and the author of "The Man You Always Wanted is The One You Already Have" (Multnomah 2007). She lives with her husband and daughter in Northern California.
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