The wind blows wherever it pleases. (John 3:8a NIVUK)

Recently, we were driving across a fairly remote stretch of moorland, on our way to a service in another Dale. For the first time in many a year, we came across a hitch-hiker. He was trudging up the road towards Kettlewell, with several weary miles ahead of him.When we picked him up, he told us that the few passing cars were all heading in the opposite direction. Just a little way farther up the road, we came across one of his buddies, and managed to squeeze him into the back seat also, with his pack spread across both their knees.

It turned out they were paragliders. The first guy we met told us he had ‘made a mistake’ at some point after taking off, and ended up landing somewhere he didn’t intend. As we dropped them off at their starting point, I believe paraglider number 1 was going to go again.

Over the last few days I’ve thought quite a bit about this encounter. I am not a paraglider, but I believe these people are dependent on riding the thermals. There are a few things they have to do (and things they can get wrong!), but they are totally dependent on the wind/air for flight. They have to co-operate with nature. They are not, ultimately, in control.

I was thinking, in terms of the moving of the Holy Spirit (who, in Scripture, is likened to the wind) we can position ourselves for flight. We can also mess things up. We can ”keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal.5:25), and we can get out of step. We can, sadly, quench, or grieve the Holy Spirit.

But it is the ‘blowing’ of the sovereign Spirit of God that is all important.

I heard a man say about revival, that when the Spirit of God is moving in power, you may as well try and control a hurricane. He shows us that we are not in charge.

PRAYER: Lord God, in these days when we hear of the wind of your Spirit blowing in many places, may we be ready for take-off. Help us to step off our comfortable hillsides and cliff tops, and trust to the ‘thermals’. We want to fly with you O gracious Lord.