IT is a strange thing, this thing that we call "the wind.” We often talk about it; we say how rough it is, or how cold and piercing; at other times how soft and warm it is-and yet none of us have ever seen it! We have seen what it does, often and often, how it bends the trees, lifts the dust from the roads and blows it along in clouds; slates come fumbling off the roofs, and chimneys crash down; and yet of the wind itself there is nothing to be seen! We have felt it, as it blows our coats and dresses about, and sends our hats bowling along the roads. Sometimes it is hard work to fight our way against this strange, invisible power.
What is it, and where does it come from?
Men build large sailing-ships and launch them on the sea, trusting entirely to this unseen power to drive them to the other end of the world. All over the country we see tall towers built, to which are fixed huge sails (or "sweeps," as some call them), to which machinery is attached for grinding corn (windmills, in other words), all relying on the wind to do the work.
Most of us know what the wind is. It is air in motion; but where does it come from? Where does it start, and who gives it its motion? These questions present more difficulty, but the scriptures answer them for us. Three times over we are told that God “bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries." (Psa. 135; Jer. 10 and 51-find the verses.) As well as being of great use to man, as we have seen above, it is also of untold value in God's wise plan for cleansing and purifying the air of our towns and cities; it is beneficial to the whole country, and keeps the sea sweet and fresh.
The windmill in the picture is having a rest. It is a still, quiet afternoon, the sails have stopped moving, and the great stone grinders inside are idle. Without the wind it has no power to do anything. Wind brings life and movement into it; without it, it is dead.
The Lord Jesus Himself speaks of the wind in a remarkable way to Nicodemus. (John 3)
“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
What brings about the change in a man (or a boy or girl) the people of this world cannot understand. But that there is a change all can see, just as we see the effect of the wind, but not the wind itself. ("Even a child is known by his doings.") The Spirit of God has been at work in the heart removing the darkness, and letting in the light, and the soul has been "born again.”
Then the day comes when we cease trusting to ourselves and our doings, and trust entirely for salvation in Jesus and His finished work; and thus come into that wonderful family, the children of God. (John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12).)
The world cannot understand a Christian; they do not know the motives and feelings that underlie his actions; they think it strange that he does not join in all their worldly amusements and sinful pleasures, and they speak evil of him. (1 Peter 4:44Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: (1 Peter 4:4).) We, who were once like them, but have been "converted" (through God's mercy), know quite well what makes the difference. The love of God has come into our hearts, and the power behind our lives is the Spirit, which He has given us. "After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”
But just as the windmill is entirely dependent on the wind for its usefulness, so must our lives be under the control of the Spirit if we are going to bring joy to the heart of God, and be useful to Him in this present world.