Seek: In the Wind

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, 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 3:8

If you find yourself on the Oregon coast, chances are you are not sprawled out on a beach blanket, soaking in the sun, listening to small waves lapping the shore.  More likely you’re bundled up, wind pelting your face, giant waves crashing on the sand, and you wouldn’t be able to hear someone shouting more than a few feet away.

The “Best Coast” (as we West Coasters so lovingly call it) still makes for great walks on the beach, year round whale watching, fun days digging in the sand, and even some great surfing for those willing to brave the frigid waters. Although not the best for lazy swimming days, there is one thing that we do very well here - kites. Blustery days bring out more types of kites than you can imagine: simple ones flown by small kids, intricate ones in the shapes of butterflies or dragons, some with strings that seem to stretch up farther than you can see, all in more colors than you’d imagine. If just a lazy day of floating in the breeze isn’t enough you can graduate to double stringed kites that can do tricks and loops, ripping through the sky.

My dad tells a story about visiting the Oregon coast when I was a child where we saw families flying kites on the beach on the first day of our trip. We made our way to the kite store to purchase a few, excited to give it a try ourselves the next day. There was just one problem…it wasn’t windy enough to get any of them up in the air on any of the rest of our vacation days.

Since moving to Oregon a few years ago, I’ve come to learn that the windy days far exceed the calm ones, but after a while you’ll hardly notice it because you’re having too much fun. While some days the wind is never ceasing, aggressive even, I do love to watch the waves crashing and the pelicans floating over the water together. Sometimes I close my eyes and just feel the wind whipping through my hair. I can’t see it, but I can hear it and I can see the force it has on the world around it.

Our God is the same in many ways like the wind he created. We cannot see him but we can feel him, hear him, and see the force He has on the world around us. We can choose to be fearful of it, or we can lean in and let it carry us. Wind can create electricity, propel huge boats, and scatter tiny seeds. From the grand to the small, the wind and waves simultaneously remind us of God’s power and precision. The next time you feel the wind blowing on your face, close your eyes and thank Him for moving in your life.

May you Seek + Sojourn more,

Teddi Jo