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Long ago, on a cool morning at camp, I sat on the boat dock and prayed, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Then, I just sat there and listened.

The lake water was moving; the wind blew the surface and when the ripples hit the far shore they would bounce back, hitting whatever was in the way (boats, branches, etc.) creating more ripples, which all crisscrossed each other on the surface (how does that work, exactly?). Bugs jumped around lightly on the surface tension. The water reflected the sky and the shoreline.

There was a lot going on, on the water.

Under the surface, even though I could not see it, I knew there was activity as well. Fish, turtles, plant life, invertebrates all waking up as the water temperature was changing with the onset of a new season. There was a lot going on, in the water.

Then my eyes paused on the earth dam, and I pondered it for a while. The water was contained by its structure but if a hole were to occur (which was a constant fight with the muskrats), the water would push its way through. Water always seeks the lowest and least resistant place to flow; gravity is the force that governs water’s movement and water is always seeking to release itself to that force.

The activity of the wind caught my eye; a breeze jumped from treetop to treetop. If I let my eyes stay on any one spot, the movement of all the leaves sparkling and swaying in the sun was just astounding. “The trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

What governs the movement of wind? Scientifically, the earth’s rotation, friction, and atmospheric high and low pressures; all are at work in the cause of wind. In the later, wind blows from a high pressure towards a low pressure area.

When I humble myself before God; denying self, kneeling or laying before God, the Holy Spirit (the ruach wind/breath of God) rushes in. Like water seeking the least resistant places, like wind seeking the low pressure, the Spirit seeks the humble in order to raise up Jesus Christ.

I pondered this in relation to Philippians 2:6-8; the humility of Jesus, lowering himself from glory, lowered to being human, lowered to death on a cross… and then verses 9-11; rising on the power of resurrection, ascension, and glory. And then the Spirit rushed in (Acts 2:1-4) to occupy the God-space in each believer.

This is one of the lessons we can learn during Lent; giving up more of self and selfish desires so more of the Holy Spirit can rush in and breath into our lives, transforming us to be more like Jesus, for the glory of God.

I’m praying for you,

 

Pastor Deb