“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (ESV)

There is a list of things to do today, some of which are a carryover from yesterday. But the Spirit had a different plan today. In prayer, I heard the still small, voice to say “Be present in today.” I went about my usual routines of making myself breakfast, dishes and tidying, even planning out my day, but a spring breeze blowing through an open window was drawing me away. One of my to-do’s involved some floral arrangements and re-setting my tableware for the month. I knew in an instant the best thing for me to do would be to open up the Create Space, clear out room to work and let the spring breeze fill the air. As I moved about my business, my eye caught the breeze billowing a window curtain and I was reminded again of the Spirit’s still small voice.

Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus, a pharisee seeking answers to questions in the cover of night, about who He was and what it meant to be born again. Jesus used this analogy of the wind to help him understand the movement and the power of the Holy Spirit. But then there is that little sentence at the end of describing the Spirit, “So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” As I understand that statement, Jesus is letting us know that those who are born again, are filled with the Spirit and we then have the ability to be led by the Spirit. This does not mean we live our lives in some sort of wanton stream of disorder and chaos. It does mean, that our hearts and ears are open to hear the Spirit and His instructions for our lives. Sometimes that instruction seems out of place or counter to our plans but when we can hear it and act on it, there is always a clear answer for the instructions given.

Had I ignored the Spirit’s prompting, I would probably be working on my list, to include finances and taxes, fretting over all the things I haven’t gotten finished yet. I would probably be pushing a sore hip that needs some rest to the utmost limit of its ability and feeling worse for it. Instead, I find myself still working on my to-do list but in a much more purposeful way, able to breathe in fresh air and delight in the wonder of a beautiful spring day with a soft spring breeze. A small part of my world is in order, my soul is refreshed, my his is not as sore, and my mind is thinking more clearly. I have to admit, that the instructions for today, were not what I expected, but I am grateful for the direction and I am more blessed for following them.