BIBLE 101: SPIRIT OF GOD

by Karen Wight Hoogheem (karenwh@lordoflife.org)

For the past ten years, I have regularly run through a

Bible 101 neighborhood park. The hills, trees, animals, and even some of the people have become familiar to me. Most runs through the park are pleasant and uneventful. But I remember a particular run one winter morning. Differing from the photo on the facing page, the sky was gray with cloud cover. Patches of ice made the asphalt treacherous in some places. I slowed my pace to be extra careful. As I rounded the corner near the shore of the lake, a cold winter wind pushed against the front of my body. The force and strength of the wind surprised me. The bitter cold blew through my winter running clothes. I felt the wind touch my skin and penetrate my bones. A chill went through my entire body. I had been carrying some stress and worries that day. After the wind blew through the park and my body, I felt as though the concerns had been burned away. The wind left me cleansed, lighter, free, and at peace. The Holy Spirit’s fire showed up in that winter wind and I experienced a sense of healing and new life. I might even say I felt “born again.” In the gospel of John’s third chapter, Nicodemus, a leader in the Jewish community, comes to Jesus at night. Nicodemus is intrigued by Jesus’ teachings. He wants to know more: “Rabbi,” Nicodemus graciously says, “we know that you are a teacher from God; no one can do the things you do without the presence of God.” Jesus offers a startling response, “No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Understandably, Nicodemus is confused. “How can anyone be born after having grown old?” he says. “Do you need to return to your mother’s womb?” Jesus informs Nicodemus that he must be born of flesh and the Spirit. “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus responds to Jesus the way we might respond to Jesus, “How can this be?” Indeed, how can this be? The Holy Spirit is such a mysterious part of who God is and how God works in the world. We know the Holy Spirit is active and alive, but we’re not quite sure how to talk about it. The Lutheran Study Bible helpfully notes that the Hebrew word “Ruah” translates as both wind and spirit. “Ruah” is also the Hebrew word for breath. Our thoughts and words may fail us when it comes to describing the work of the Holy Spirit, but we know how it feels when “Ruah” cleanses our bodies and souls on dreary winter days. “Ruah” enlivens our faith through prayer, worship, and service. And “Ruah” keeps our bodies alive as our lungs breathe oxygen without the need for us to tell them to inhale and exhale. The Spirit of God comes and goes as it pleases, mysteriously and graciously giving us new life.

reflection questions

• When and how have you experienced this kind of mighty wind? • How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in prayer, worship, or service? • Notice your breath. Can you feel God’s Spirit connected to your spirit while you breathe?