"What is born of Spirit is spirit. The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."  John 3:6-8

We have had some very windy days lately. I don’t know how it has been out on the lakes but I can imagine it has made for some very choppy boating. I have been riding my new bike and riding into the wind can be a challenge. I’ve watched the trees dance and worried that the wind will overcome our fabulous purple irises that have made their entrance into the world, showering our garden with electric color. I have prayed that I planted the seeds deep enough that the strong winds have not short-circuited my plan for late summer sunflowers.

In some way, it is appropriate that the winds have been so strong these past days. Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, the day when the church celebrates the coming of the Spirit to the early Christians, the day that is often called the birthday of the church. The symbols used to describe this appearance of the Spirit are fire and wind. Both these elements of creation have great power. They can bring with them warmth, refreshment, an unseen impetus of movement, certain change. They can bring destruction but also a tremendous source of creativity and generativity.

Pentecost Sunday is one of my favorite church holy days. As someone who spends a great deal of time during the week planning for worship, Pentecost has lots of room to move around in, to create new ways of doing liturgy, searching for ways to create a surprising moment that will awaken sleepy worshipers. It does not carry the expectations of Christmas or Easter….those days that must have this song, or that ritual.

People don’t come to church on Pentecost Sunday expecting any particular thing.They can come into the sanctuary and see all the red banners or flowers or stoles and maybe think, "that’s nice…a lot of color." They can sit down in their pew and maybe a hymn will be particularly moving or lively……"Every time I feel the Spirit, movin’ in my heart, I will pray..." Someone walks up to read the scripture from the Book of  Acts.  They might be transported back in time and see those early followers of Jesus meeting together and hear the rush of the wind, the many languages understood, imagine the awe or fear on the faces of those who look to Peter for an explanation.

Or instead, they might feel a nudge in their own chest. How is the Spirit moving in my life? The words spoken may open their heart to the person sitting next to them, a stranger, a visitor. How is the Spirit calling me to reach out? A problem contemplated over breakfast that seemed larger than life, unsolvable, begins to crack open, a tiny shaft of light pours through moving toward, what….understanding,resolution? Where is the presence of the Spirit in all of this?

J. Philip Newell wrote this prayer for such a day….That hope is deeper than despair and that creativity surges from unknown depths within us, thanks be to you, O God. In the world this day and in the relationships of people everywhere, let there be new stirrings of your liberating Spirit. In the world this day and in the depths of our own souls, let there be new stirrings of your mighty liberating Spirit.