Wind: A Letter to West Franklin

West Franklin Family,

Wind. As I type, I hear very intense and straight-line winds right outside my office window. Williamson County Schools sent kids home two hours early. (I really want to insert a rant about the kids already being out Friday and Monday, but I won’t.) Brentwood Baptist Church closed its offices at 3 PM. The class I teach at the Brentwood Campus on Thursday’s got cancelled. A massive front promised to blow through our area with potential for damaging winds and/or tornados. As I type – it’s here.

The potential for serious winds put all of Middle Tennessee on alert. Hundreds and (possibly) thousands of families were impacted by closures and cancellations. We’ve seen what straight line winds can do. We know what tornados can do. Better safe than sorry.

Wind. I can hear its sound right now. I look outside. I don’t see the wind. I can see the affects of the wind. I can feel it. I can observe how the limbs bend to its power. But I cannot see it. What’s more, I didn’t know when it was coming. “In the know” professionals made their predictions. They provided their estimated time frames. But they didn’t know for certain. When I left home this morning, I didn’t expect to be coming back early. Thursday is usually my late day. Now – assuming the winds die down – I will be heading home earlier than expected. When I drive home, however, will be determined by the – you guessed it . . . wind.

Wind. Everyone’s (in Middle Tennessee) plans changed due to the threat of wind.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons Jesus compares being born of the Spirit to wind (see John 3:8). We can’t control it. We aren’t in charge. We can’t master our salvation. We can’t dictate when and how and where we will be born again. We can’t see the Spirit. We can only feel and see the affects of Him.

Wind. Everything about my plans for the day changed because of wind. God reminding me, once again, that Matt Pearson is not in charge. The Spirit. He blows where He desires. When He desires. How He desires. You cannot see Him. But you know Him when He’s near.

West Franklin, think back to when you were first awakened to the beauty and glory and sufficiency of Jesus. Where were you? What were you doing? What happened? How has your life changed? Remember that it was only by God’s good and sovereign and wonderful and loving design that He “blew” on your soul. God sends the Spirit where He pleases. He was pleased to affect you. Oh my.

The Spirit. Where is He blowing today? Where is He moving right now? What plans is He leading you to change? What impact is He making right now? Who is He affecting right now? Are you looking for it? Listening? Sometimes the wind is intense. Strong. Loud. Other times it is calm. Quiet. Gentle. We don’t determine where or when or how. When the wind blows, we simply go with it and adapt accordingly. The same is true of the Spirit. We’re not in charge. We go with it and adapt, joyfully surrendering like a bent limb in its presence. The wind (and the movement of the Spirit) is a continuous reminder that I am not, nor ever will be, in charge. My role is to believe the wind (the Spirit) is active and surrender my life to its God-ordained and loving will.

Outside my office, at the moment, is now calm. I hear rain drops. The “in the know” professionals say cold air is blowing in later tonight. We’ll see. Yet another reminder that I am not in charge. (It’s actually freeing when I give up control. I might as well. . . I don’t have any anyway.) Limbs are down. Puddles of water are evident. Wind has blown. I didn’t see it. But I know it’s been here. Spirit, give me eyes to see.

If you’ll excuse me – I need to get home to my kids. I have a wonderful FOUR DAY WEEKEND (and it’s not even Spring Break!) with them. . . four and a half if you count them getting out early today for – wind. But I am not going to rant about that here. Remember, I’m not in charge.

I’ll see you Sunday (God willing), with my Bible open to John 3:1-18.

Seeking the Spirit,

Pastor Matt

West Franklin – there are LOTS and LOTS of important happenings approaching. Go here and here to be in the know. And do NOT miss this: we are offering a ONE DAY Discover (new member) class next Sunday!