On September 11, 1961, Hurricane Carla made landfall at Port O’Connor, Texas. It was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to make landfall in the United States. Winds reached speeds of 175 mph. The older members of my congregation remember Hurricane Carla vividly. They say it sounded like a freight train passing right through their living rooms.
Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, ten days after his ascension into heaven, on the day of the Jewish festival of Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples also heard a similar sound – the sound of a violent wind – the sound of a freight train passing through the house.
And with that sound came the Holy Spirit.
In the original languages of the Bible, the word “spirit” can also mean “wind” or “breath.” In a way, we could say the Holy Spirit is the Holy Wind – the very breath of God. Jesus told Nicodemus, “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” (John 3:8).
You can’t see the wind. You can only see what the wind moves: leaves blowing, snow drifting, waves crashing against the shore. You can feel the wind on your face. You can hear it howling at night.
So it is with the Holy Spirit. You can’t see the Holy Spirit.
But you can see what he moves.
You can see people joyfully worshiping and serving God. You can see tears give way to peace on the face of someone comforted by God’s promises. You can see quiet confidence in those loved by God.
You may not see him, but you can recognize his work in your life, because the Holy Spirit is like the wind.
The problem is that many Christians expect the Holy Spirit always to work with hurricane- force winds. Every time they go to church, they want to feel the overwhelming emotions the Holy Spirit sometimes stirs in us through his Word and promises.
Yes, sometimes we feel a hurricane of emotions as the Holy Spirit brings us to tears of sorrow over our sins or tears of joy over his forgiveness. Sometimes we feel God’s overwhelming presence fill our hearts as we sing his praises.
Usually, however, the Holy Spirit doesn’t work with hurricane force. Usually, he speaks to us in the gentle whisper of his Word. Like a ceiling fan you forget is running, you may not even notice the breeze as the Holy Spirit quietly works faith, peace, and confidence in your heart.
As you hear his Word proclaimed in church, as you receive Jesus’ body and blood in the Sacrament, as you spend quiet time reading your Bible at home, the Holy Spirit is gently stoking the flame of faith in your heart.
The quiet work of the Holy Spirit often goes unnoticed, but it is no less powerful or effective. Just as vast canyons are carved by flowing water and flames are kept alive by gentle breezes, so the Holy Spirit quietly changes hearts and lives.
So don’t despise the gentle whisper of the gospel. Don’t think the Holy Spirit only works when you feel overwhelming emotions in worship and prayer. The Spirit’s work is not measured by the force of our emotions, but by the strength of God’s promises.
The Holy Spirit can and does work with hurricane force, but he also quietly moves mountains with the gentle whisper of a Sunday sermon, a Bible verse shared, or a simple family devotion.
Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon. com.
