The Wind is Blowing
How are you, Pastor?” greeted a cheerful voice via phone.
To my response and subtle attempt to recognize his voice, the caller continued: “If I were doing any better…don’t know if I could stand it. These past two years have been absolutely wonderful -- two of the best years of my ministry!
I knew the name of the voice. We have not had a conversation for several years. Curiosity had me wondering why he was calling. The question was soon answered. We had a mutual public concern.
My mind was captured by the good news that a fellow pastor in Charlottesville is enjoying a very good season of ministry. In the course of the conversation I shared: “My Brother, it is a good season. In fact, as I research, dialogue, question, and try to understand (I Chronicles 12:32) the “spirit of these times,” it becomes apparent that God is moving mightily across the nation. Churches across America are having breakthroughs. Revival! Generous giving for charitable causes is infecting the Christian community.”
We talked about the moving of the Holy Spirit. We talked about the out-pouring that is testimony to a sovereign move of God.
If I had a ship…if that ship could only be powered by sails…if that ship could only move when the wind is blowing…if I wanted that ship to move…if the wind started to blow I would have all hands on deck. Every sailor on the ship would be at his/her post of duty! Every sailor would have a single objective: Get the sails up and the ship into the wind!
The blowing of the wind is a strange thing. Laila and I live on a hill with a gentle falling away into the valley, down to a pond, and on. The draft of the coolness from the forests and pond in the valley can cause a stirring of the wind when other places in the larger community have no noticeable movement of air. However, there are times when the wind blows….then it just stops….I stand and wait wondering when it will come again…not knowing…for the wind has a mind of its own.
The Holy Spirit is moving mightily. Every pastor, every church leader, every Christian must decide whether to raise spiritual sails and catch the moving of the Spirit.
It is important to me as Senior Pastor for you to know that the Elders’ Board has met in cooperation with the pastoral staff. We are making prayerful, bold initiatives to be sure that we are gaining all the advantage we can gain from this season of Holy Spirit refreshment.
I do not desire to be a prophet of doom. I have no message from God of impending destruction. However, this I know: God told King Asa that if you will be with me, I will be with you (2 Chronicles 15:2). This I also know: That if we seek God with our whole heart, He will be found of us (Jeremiah 29:13). This I also know: God is looking for heroes who can help the Ship to sail through treacherous waters to victory.
One thing more: Where sin abounds, grace abounds in greater measure (Romans 5:20). Jesus has all authority in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18).
Yes, this letter is about the blowing of the wind, i.e., the moving of the Holy Spirit. Let us agree to do all we can while it is day.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Bare