The Wind

In my last devotional, It Only Takes A Spark on April 18, 2024, I told how a farmer lost his barn in a fire due to a spark from his tractor. This time, I want to tell how John was involved in the building of the new barn.

John and the hired man were working in our shop making ductwork for our heating business. As I was baking cookies, the kitchen door opened abruptly, and John rushed in saying, "Jim's new barn is blowing down. I have to go and see if I can help save it."

When he arrived on the scene, a strong wind was indeed slowly blowing down the unfinished barn frame. The men were standing and watching the wind catch their work, but they could do nothing. John had taken his extension ladder and a long rope used around our farm. He quickly climbed the ladder to the peak of the end wall and tied the rope around the frame. While he was up on the ladder, each gust of wind lowered the wall, and the top of the ladder slid down the side of the barn by two feet with each gust. Fortunately, John was also the telephone lineman at that time, so he was accustomed to heights, and movement in high places did not cause him any distress. The men pulled on the rope and managed to get the frame vertical again. The barn was saved, and John was the hero.

Jesus spoke of the wind in regard to the work of the Holy Spirit:

John 3:7b-8 – You must be born again. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. (NIV)

Jesus was saying that we cannot see the wind itself, but we can see the destruction of a hurricane, or see leaves falling, or see pollination of plant life, or feel a gentle breeze. So it is with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a believer. We do not see the Spirit, but we do see the life lived by the believer.

Jesus continued to talk about God's love:

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

Once we are born again, the Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in believers, who have a blessed living hope in Jesus.

The barn is still standing and is still in use. Likewise, salvation through Jesus is still available to all people.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love that sent Your Son to die for our sins on Calvary. Be with our government and our loved ones, friends, and neighbours. Help us to live so that others can see Your love in us. Amen.