I was watching a team of people trying to collect and clean up the leaves that had fallen over the past few weeks. The wind was so strong that I’m sure it felt like a losing battle. As soon as they made a pile of leaves, the wind would come along and scatter them again. As another person tried to place the leaves in a bag, the bag would flutter so much that it was hard to find the opening. In the end, they gave up, and honestly, it looked exactly the same as when they started! It reminded me of how much we try to control the things around us, even when that control isn't always possible. And it seems to be human nature to hold on even tighter when the winds begin to blow.
Wind affects animals, people, birds, sea life and all of creation. It disrupts our surroundings and makes our environments unpredictable. Changes in weather and atmospheric pressure can even affect how some people feel, physically and emotionally. Strong winds remind us that there are forces around us that we simply cannot control. We hear their power and feel their presence, but we cannot stop them. For some people, this provides an adrenaline rush and leaves them feeling excited. For others, it creates uneasiness and anxiety.
In the Bible, there are numerous stories involving strong winds. Wind is a powerful symbol in our faith, representing God's Spirit, creation, change, freedom, uncertainty, transformation and sometimes destruction. The wind isn't always gentle and comforting. It can also be unsettling, disruptive and frightening. AND, as usual, God isn't limited by our human expectations and doesn't always play by the same rules! Wind can also bring new life, fresh perspectives and unexpected possibilities.
I think there is a reason why people of faith are invited to surrender, to let go of control and instead listen and remain open to what God is offering. Perhaps the wind teaches us that just because something is unsettling doesn't mean it is wrong or that we are in trouble. And just because something makes us comfortable doesn't necessarily mean that everything is good or as it should be. This is where trusting God becomes both challenging and important. Trusting God doesn't mean the winds will stop blowing or that everything will work out the way we want. It means learning to listen for God's Spirit, even when life feels unsettled. Jesus continually challenged people to look beyond what was familiar, comfortable and expected. He invited them to question what they had always believed, to notice those who were being overlooked, and to consider how their choices affected others. He reminded us that loving God and loving our neighbours cannot be separated.
Perhaps this is what discernment is really about. Not simply asking what makes us feel safe or comfortable, or even what benefits us personally, but asking what leads us toward greater compassion, justice, kindness and love. We cannot control the direction of the wind, but we can pay attention to what is shaping our responses. Are we being guided by fear or by love? Are we listening only to the loudest voices, or are we making room for the quieter ones? Are we willing to be moved by God's Spirit, even when it challenges what we have always known?
Perhaps faith isn't about finding a place where the wind cannot reach us. Perhaps it is about learning to trust God enough to let the Spirit move us. Blessings, Rev. Karen