WINDY PEOPLE

GOSPEL — JOHN 3:1-9
The Second Sunday in Lent

What does it mean to be born of the Spirit? Jesus tells Nicodemus those who are born of the Spirit are like the wind: you can hear it but cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. What does it mean to be people of the wind? Are we to be heard, but unpredictable in our actions? Maybe.

Nicodemus is curious, working hard to reason out who Jesus is and what Jesus is saying. The trouble is that the eternal life Jesus is bringing into the world is not logical. Rebirth in the Spirit does not fit our framework of experience. The resurrection that follows the cross is not a scientific principle but a new work of God, received by faith rather than reason. The work of God is unpredictable.

Generally, we as people prefer predictability and order to uncertainty and chaos. There are reasons for this: people can be unpredictable in ways that bring pain and trauma into our lives. But there is a difference between this sort of volatility and the unpredictable ways God’s grace lands in the world. God’s grace always brings new life.

To be good stewards of our resources, congregations should have orderly financial processes, clear policies, and well-thought-out mission and ministry. At the same time, we can plan the Spirit right out of our work if we are more dedicated to order than we are to discernment. The Spirit blows as she will. Is there room in our worship for some improvisation when the Spirit shows up in a new way? Is there flexibility in our ministry to pivot to a new opportunity as the Spirit blows by?

Born of the Spirit, may we windy people be surprised by God’s grace and be blessed to carry that gift to a world that is not expecting it.

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From sundaysandseasons.com.
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