Spirit Clouds - Martin Wiles

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. John 3:8 NRSVUE

A much-needed vacation took me to the mountains of Tennessee. I found myself nestled in a cabin high in the Great Smoky Mountains. Each morning, I sat on the porch, admiring the handiwork of my Creator, listening to the birds and turkeys, feeling the gentle breezes, and watching the sun rise above the distant peaks.

One morning was different. The sounds were the same, but the sun didn’t immediately appear. Instead, dark storm clouds marched through the valleys and hopped over the mountaintops. After dropping their cargo in the form of light rain showers, they gave way to wisps of white, dainty clouds that flittered west to east and south to north. As I watched these spirit clouds, I thought of God’s Spirit.

In Greek, the same word is used for spirit and wind. Although I can see the effects of the wind, I cannot see the wind itself. Nor can I view God’s Spirit—only His workings in the lives of people, myself, and the world.

Like the clouds, God’s Spirit is often silent. We hear no audible voice—just a small but effective nudge within our spirit, guiding us in the right direction or to the correct decision. At other times, God’s Spirit is loud. We don’t have to wonder if it is him speaking to our spirit. His voice comes through loud and clear, as clouds that bring vociferous claps of thunder and downpours of rain.

The work of God’s Spirit can be obvious, such as when he brings a change in our lives that is evident to others. Or his work may not be so obvious, as when he slowly changes us from the inside out. Changes that take months, or even years, to ripen to maturity.

As I witnessed the spirit clouds comfort me on that early morning, so my spirit is calmed by knowing that God is always present with me in the form of his Spirit, giving me wisdom and guidance for every decision in life. The clouds went where God sent them, and he never sends them in the wrong direction.

Learn to listen for God’s still small Spirit voice. Then act on what he guides you to do.

Father, thank you for guiding my steps through the still small voice of your Spirit.

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