Day 41 turbine

 We have had all sorts of weather this week.  Hail and snow and sun and rain.  Yesterday it was windy with some rain followed by some sunshine.  Cold.  Hard to believe it was the first day of summer.  

On the way to church we pass a wind turbine and I was surprised to see that despite the trees most definitely moving, the blades of the turbine were still.  It was the same on the way home from church even though the wind was even stronger by then.   I noted that the turbine didn't have one of those little rudders which can rotate the blades to face into the wind.  So despite the fact that it was windy no power was being generated because the turbine wasn't facing the right way. 

This got me thinking.  Often I know that the Holy Spirit is moving but somehow I dont seem to be moving with Him.  I can sit in church knowing that where two or three are gathered He is there,  knowing that the worship is uplifting and the praying and preaching is inspiring, but still not feeling anything.    I know its not about feelings - but nonetheless we all are designed to catch the wind of the Spirit and if we arent facing in the right direction.....

The turbines that are the most effective dont just have big blades, they have a small rudder designed to turn the whole head of the thing into the wind.  This sort can generate power even in the lightest of breezes.



So what is the rudder in our lives?  Well, Id forgotten this, but the Bible does actually talk about us having a rudder.....

''When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. '' (James 3:3-5)

So here's the thought for today.  Maybe at those times when we know the Holy Spirit is around or that God is doing things but we are standing on the outside looking in,  or in those moments when we feel that we have no power, we need to have a think about what we have been speaking.  Have we been needlessly negative or critical?  Are we gossipping?  Have we been telling lies - even the smallest ones? If our tongues are not tamed then our rudders cannot swing us round to face the wind of the Spirit.  We cannot generate the power that the Spirit wants us to use.


Prov 15;4  The soothing tongue is a tree of life,  but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Psalm 34;13  keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.

Prov 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,  and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Prov 21:23  Those who guard their mouths and their tongues  keep themselves from calamity.



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