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BY PASTOR BRANDON YOUNG
We just entered one of the windiest months of the year. Why is it so windy in March? A major reason is that wind is driven by differences in temperature and air pressure. As winter transitions to spring, we have lingering cold air masses from the north. At the same time, warm air masses are encroaching from the south and increasing sunshine produces warm air close to the earth’s surface. The difference between the cold air and escalating warm air generates varying air pressure gradients, which, in turn, create stronger winds. Of course, frontal systems can bring winds as well. The greater the temperature difference between the two air masses, the stronger the force of the winds.
Winds can be extremely forceful, and this force has the power to change things quickly. You may have already asked yourself what the wind has got to do with Christianity. The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as a mighty rushing wind. Act 2:1-2 says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” Every person heard the gospel in their own language that day, and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. The winds of change had begun to blow and the first church was created. From that day, thousands were added to the church daily and needs were met. The winds of the Holy Ghost brought about great change all while remaining completely invisible. According to Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper, “The Holy Spirit leaves no footprints.” Like the wind, the Holy Spirit is invisible, unpredictable, and uncontrollable. John 3:8 says, “8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
I have given much thought lately about changes to better our world. I am fully convinced change will only come as a result of the winds of the Holy Ghost. The winds of change blow from Heaven at this very moment, but will we allow those winds to blow into our hearts, minds, homes, marriages, and community? We must open the window of God’s promises and let the Spirit blow into every room of our heart. The Holy Wind of God will pervade every part of our lives if we allow it do so, and things will change for the better. We can choose to quench the winds of change and continue to do and experience what we have in the past. In these last days, God wants to move mightily and blow some corrupt things out and some righteous things into our lives.
Hatred replaced by love! Grudges replaced by forgiveness! Confusion replaced by peace! Doubt replaced by faith!Anger replaced with patience! Judgment replaced by grace. Bitterness replaced by trust. Pride replaced by humility. Envy replaced by kindness! Fear replaced with courage! Harshness replaced by compassion! Selfishness replaced by generosity. The list could go on forever. Are we satisfied with how things are currently going in our homes and community? If so, change is not possible. I for one am not satisfied with the current state of our community! I see drug/alcohol addiction, drug overdoses, failing marriages, great poverty, struggling families and children, suicidal individuals who have lost all hope, and those filled with fear and hurt across our community! My prayer is the Holy Spirit of God will begin to blow across our churches first, and they will seek true repentance so God can heal our lands with His winds of change. The church must open the windows and doors of the soul and allow God to change us from the inside out. Once the church has been awakened by this powerful wind of change, the world will see, hear, and feel the immediate difference. The world will seek after what the believer has!
I do believe it is possible for the Holy Ghost winds of change to sweep through Elizabethton and Carter County leaving in the path much needed change. At Harmony, we have been blessed to start feeling these winds blow, and in the past couple of weeks, we have seen nine individuals come to know the Lord and start an intimate relationship with Jesus. It has been something to see the transformation of our church. Instead of going to church, we have been having church, and friends, there is a great difference between the two. I would like to encourage each of you to agree with and seek change for yourself and our community! Let’s watch God blow out the addiction, poverty, brokenness, hopelessness, hatred and blow in unity, strength, peace, prosperity, and love! I refuse to give up hope because it is evident that God is already moving in our community to bring about change! May the winds of change continue to blow and get more powerful in the days ahead!
(The Solution Column is provided by Pastor Brandon Young of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, Hampton.)