It was a beautiful summer afternoon,
sun shining,
water multi-colored,
wind on the rise.
So I stopped the car at a bluff-top park,
and stood and watched a while.
These trees are fast disappearing,
going the way of much bluff side real estate,
sinking down, down into the sand below.
But today, this one lent itself to a lovely portrait frame
of the wind at work.
Suddenly, two billowing kites puffed into closer view,
filling and flapping and giving their owners
a memorable ride.
I stood and watched in admiration and awe.
Such grace and beauty,
strength and confidence.
But as always when I gawk at kite-surfers,
I was struck by something else, too.
I was struck by the power,
the invisible but oh-so-necessary power
of the wind.
Athleticism alone does not make this happen.
Good equipment all by itself will not produce this result.
It is only when the wind rises,
when the board owners allow the wind to do
what only the wind can do
that a good ride becomes a thing of beauty.
Jesus said,
“You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation,the invisible moving the visible,a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—
and becomes a living spirit.
“So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes fromor where it’s headed next.That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”
John 3:5-8, The Message
Joining Michelle, Sandy and Deidra with their lovely weekend invitation to quiet:
I had a dear friend who died far too soon who, whenever the wind blew, would say, “The Spirit’s moving.” I still think of her when it’s windy.
Blessed – Thank you again Diana!
Neat photos. AND sure would have loved to be doing these wonderful watery activities. I couldn’t have done it very much when I was younger… and certainly can’t now. But I can watch others… and I can smile, clap, rejoice. So, I trust that the Lord will allow me to often, very often, smile, clap, and rejoice at Him.
That’s a sad connection to make. Or is it? With someone dear, sometimes those recollections are sweet, too.
So they’re pretty much at the mercy of the wind? No control of their own? How/where do they stop? We watched someone do this on Lake Superior–and seemed like he’d crash into a pier.
No, that’s where the athleticism and the equipment come into play and why I like this as an image of how God chooses to partner with us in the working out of the kingdom. We need to know that we can’t do it on our own. But we also need to know that God chooses us to do it with him. Both sides are needed, but nothing happens ever without the Wind.
Thanks, Joanne. I enjoy watching, too.
You’re welcome, friends.
Oh, wow… I love the photos and analogies and in particular this amazing version of this verse! Wind hovering over the water creation! How wondrous are those words! I grew up near the ocean, so these photos fill me up with those words… ~Pam http://wiordglow.wordpress.com
Yeah, I really like Peterson’s take on this text. I often find his viewpoint refreshing and helpful, especially with very familiar texts. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, Diana. I’ve been parasailing before. I thought it would be a rough ride, but it was so smooth and quiet. But powerful at the same time.
Well, of course, you’ve done this. I should have guessed! We call it kite-boarding in Santa Barbara. Para-sailing is being pulled in the air behind a motor-boat, at least here on the coast that’s what it’s called. Smooth, quiet and powerful – a real trifecta.