Spirit of Restlessness
by Kathy Beck
We set out early to climb the east side of Lincoln Mountain, really more a tall, rounded hill. The sun was shining, the sky was a brilliant blue, and the birds bustled busily in the bushes. With few other people on the trail, it was the perfect time for a hike.
As we came over the crest of the hill, the Front Range was spread out before us. There was little traffic on the roads, so the air was crystal clear. The path circled around, with expansive views in all directions. We could see north clear past Longs Peak and east almost to the Kansas border, it seemed.
Then the wind hit. It swooped down from the mountains and up the side of the hill. My hat went flying. The birds above us battled to stay their course, ducking up and down to ride the swift currents of air. As we bent into the blast, I thought of Jesus’ words in John: "
The wind blows where it pleases; you can hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going." (John 3:8)
Was this battering what the disciples felt that morning, tucked safely away together until the Holy Spirit hit them with full force? It must have been exhilarating and scary at the same time. The Spirit seized them and blew them out into the world, impelling them to go and tell the good news to everyone: the news that God was with them, all of them, with power that they could use to advance God’s reign on earth.
What a day that must have been, and what an example the disciples set for us in the work they undertook and the courage with which they carried it out. Snakes and storms at sea, jailbreaks and midnight escapes, unexpected companions and unanticipated destinations: The Book of Acts provides great stories and great challenges. How will we react when the wind of the Spirit impacts us, as it did Paul and Barnabas, Lydia, Stephen, Priscilla and all the others we read about? Hold onto your hats!
