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, NIV

Wind can do incredible things.  In its extreme forms, wind has the power to completely destroy the landscape of our neighborhoods.  (Hello tornadoes!)  But in gentle, steady forms, wind has the power to generate more positive outcomes.  On a recent family camping trip, it took more effort than usual to start and sustain our campfire due to the rains that had just passed through.  Without lighter fluid, we relied not only on well-placed kindling but also on well-directed blowing to keep fanning the fire into flame.  It wasn't the birthday candle type of blowing that we needed -- that would just blow things out.  It was steady wind, gentle and constant.  That's what would keep the fire going and make for happy campers who were warm and, of course, able to enjoy their s'mores.

When Jesus unfolded the beauty of the gospel to Nicodemus, He described the necessity of new birth as made possible only by the wind of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:6-8), a wind that is in some ways imperceptible but whose impact is still very evident.  I don't think Jesus had in mind fitful, violent gusts that tend to destroy landscapes and blow candles out.  But like wind for a campfire, I believe the Holy Spirit wants to be present in our lives like a gentle, steady breeze that keeps fanning our spiritual fervor into flame.

The question is:  do we seek the Holy Spirit's presence as a constant, fan-flaming wind in my life?  Or do we tend to only seek His presence in crisis or great emergency?  

Of course, it's completely appropriate to plead for God's presence in our times of urgent need, but the born-again life God envisions for us enjoys God's presence habitually, not just occasionally.  Let's seek God's Spirit today and everyday.  As we open our lives to the gentle breeze of His presence with consistency and continuity, may we discover the born-again life that radiates warmth and light to those around us.