flood and flame

I went hiking last week for three days. Hiking is one of my all time favorite things to do. I love the whole idea of not showering, getting dirty, eating freeze dried food, swimming in rivers, and carrying everything I need to survive on my back. I would have left my toothbrush at home as well, but Brandie insisted that I take it. I actually used it once.

We hiked to a waterfall called Yahoo falls. It was pretty spectacular. As the water poured down, the force caused a steady, strong wind to blow. A friend of mine that was with me wrote this about the experience:

As the water fell, it created a breeze. So while my friends and I stood away from the falls, we could hear the rushing water and we could feel the wind blowing on us. The wind was strong; you could slightly lean into it and feel it pushing against you. Also, you could hear it blowing. Although the falling water was much louder, you could still distinguish the sound of wind. Also, the wind was thick with moisture from the falling water and, even from forty or fifty feet away, we were dampened by the cooling mist.

As I stood there, with arms outstretched, trying to absorb, not only the chilly wind and mist, but also, as much of this beautiful experience as I could. I remember thinking to myself; God is present with me now. I asked Mark, one of my friends, “How can anyone experience this moment and not be convinced of God?”

Luke describes the Spirit as a sound coming from Heaven like a mighty rushing wind. It’s interesting that the Spirit is described as a rushing wind. Do you know that in Greek, that the word for Spirit is the same word as wind… pneuma. According to Luke, the Spirit came with the loud rushing movement of the wind.

As I stood facing that misting breeze I couldn’t help but wonder what is was like on that morning in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit descended on those present. I must have been fantastic. So was that waterfall.

I hope that just as I experienced the beauty and force of the waterfall, you can experience the beauty and force of the Holy Spirit in your life. It is within your grasp to do so. It just takes a moment of surrender. Sit down, empty yourself, and ask God to fill you up. It'll be amazing, and don't be surprised if you experience "a mighty rushing wind" yourself!