The Sacred Companionship of Wind

I recently returned from Malta. The island where the apostle Paul was shipwrecked on his way to Rome. The ancient stepping stone of an island between Italy and North Africa. The island that is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and has the steady presence of wind. 

Every day, the wind accompanied me as I explored the island, whether I invited her to join me or not! Some days, the wind was cold, wild, and strong, whipping the waters and dashing the waves against the rocks. On other days, she was warm and gentle, tender and soft. Occasionally, the wind played hide and seek, whisking me off my feet as I rounded a corner. The wind, sometimes howling, sometimes whispering, sometimes hidden, always invisible, was ever present and companioning me. 

I began wondering about the presence of wind in sacred Scripture and what wind might want to show and tell me today. The first mention of wind in the Bible is in Genesis 1:2, where it is referred to as the ruach of God hovering over the dark, watery chaos. Ruach is a Hebrew word meaning breath, wind, or a person's vital life energy. All three meanings are used, and in many ways are interchangeable, in Scripture.

The very first time a word or phrase is mentioned in Scripture is significant because the meaning of the word establishes a precedent or a pattern that can be seen throughout the rest of the Bible. It is almost always the most complete and accurate meaning of the word serving as a key to understanding the word’s biblical concept. But the first usage also provides a foundation for the fuller development of the word in later parts of the Bible. 

The first mention of wind is significant because it introduces the concept of God's presence and creative power. It sets the stage for the creation narrative, highlighting the role of God's spirit in bringing order, meaning, and beauty out of chaos. 

I recalled stories in the Scriptures where God’s animating spirit, breath, and wind brought order, meaning, and beauty out of chaos. I also began to remember times in my own life when God’s breath, wind, and spirit brought order, meaning, and beauty into the chaos of my life and soul.

To give voice and honor to the foundational presence of God’s wind with the perpetual and sacred companionship of wind in everyday life I wrote this little poem:

invisible but visible

i feel the wind gently brushing my cheek
hear the wind crashing against the rocks
smell the wind giving evidence of fresh rain and decaying death
taste the wind in the droplets of saltwater it brings to my tongue

just think
the Wind blew the world began
the Wind descended Jesus was baptized with power and authority
the Wind rushed a people were authorized with courage and hope

whispering and blowing
sailing and waltzing
gusting and howling

invisible but visible

The Wind 
creating worlds
empowering Christ
making a church possible

inviting 
Mary into the impossible
Sarah to the unimaginable

moving
beyond loss into newness 
beyond death into life
beyond chaos into new creation

promising 
sobriety to an alcoholic
restoration for a broken marriage
reconciliation between enemies
courage and stamina to care for the suffering

healing and generating and transforming
displacing fear 
expelling despair

freeing the 
impossible
unthinkable
improbable
impractical

moving boundaries of my imagination

inaugurating life and fresh possibilities
centering the impossible
rooting the improbable
grounding the impractical 
into the dirt and messy ordinariness of my life

I leave you today with three questions for you to consider:

What evidence of Wind is there in your life?
How have you encountered the sacred companionship of the Wind?
When has the presence of Wind shaped a story in your life?

I am here to serve your soul in whatever ways you might need or long for … spiritual direction, spiritual companionship, leadership coaching, enneagram coaching, Ignatian Spiritual Exercises guide, and guided retreats. What does your soul need? What does your soul want? 

Feeling the wind, Becky