Moment of Truth – Look, See, Pray

A nice fresh south-westerly coming up the Channel = sailboard enthusiast photos!

The water was choppy enough to make it exciting, the wind strong enough to make it hard work. My job was dead easy: catch the action from dry land.

This guy had been out already, and sped into shore, but wanted more. Wading back out to sea, he set himself and the sailboard then waited for the right wave to break. The force of the wind worked for and against him: get it right, and the sail is upright… misjudge the moment and it blows the sail over.

Final act is to manage to spring on board and hold on firmly to the sail-boom.

My photo is of the moment of truth. Dramatic action! Will he rise or fall? Sail or sink?

He made it- and zipped off at high knots, using the force of the wind in the sail to achieve the ecstatic thrill of mastering the wind.

So it is with a Christian seeking to serve and follow Christ. Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit coming “like a mighty wind.” Some of His closest followers were fishermen who knew exactly what Jesus meant. They knew how to “catch the wind” in order to achieve their purpose. No-one can control the wind: but we can set our sail so the power drives us on.

Sometimes the Spirit blows to bring new life, a spiritual rebirth: John 3:8 (NLT)
The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.

On the Day of Pentecost the Wind blew to signify the empowerment of the Church and mark believers out as the authoritative servants and ambassadors of God.

To put it slightly differently, if we wish to be powerful or effective disciples, we need to see where the wind blows, and learn to “set our spirit” accordingly. Or as one preacher put it: “Find out where God is already at work- and join in.”

So: the moment of Truth. Where do you see God at work near you? Will you join in?

It may be as thrilling and risky as sailboarding… we may get a soaking or two. We may also travel at high speed propelled by, immersed in, Holy Spirit power.

Come on in. The water’s frisky…