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I remember learning the Beaufort Scale at school where you judged the scale of the wind by the effect it had on objects, as the wind itself is invisible. Scale 1 is where smoke rises vertically, defined as “calm”. Scale 3 is where leaves and small twigs are in constant motion: “a gentle breeze”; Scale 8 is where twigs are broken off trees and the wind generally impedes progress “a gale”. Top of the scale is Scale 12, where well-constructed frame houses have damage to roof and shingles, large branches snap and shallowly rooted trees are toppled- “a hurricane”.Due to the changes in our weather patterns many more countries have experienced hurricanes causing extensive damage. The wind indeed can be a lovely refreshing summer breeze or a powerful force indeed.On May 19th we celebrate Pentecost, (it used to be referred to by the old name ‘Whit Sunday’). At this season we remember when the Holy Spiritcame to the disciples. The witnesses at the time did not have the words to describe the force of God’s Holy Spirit, so like the Beaufort scale, they described as best they could what it was like:“And suddenly from heaven there came the sound like the rush of a violent wind,and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues as of fire, appeared among themand a tongue rested on each of them”. (Acts 2:2-4).The Holy Spirit certainly had an effect on these disciples. They started to tell everyone about Jesus in languages their audience could understand and were so “wired” that people thought they were drunk!Peter, after Jesus’ crucifixion, was so scared that he denied ever knowing Jesus. Now he went and preached in front of the Temple, healing a lame man and getting himself arrested so that he could tell everyone about Jesus!If we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, we will not see it but, like the wind, we will see and feel her power. It might be like a gentle breeze, that quiet voice in our head telling us that what we are doing is wrong and that we need to change; or it might be like a hurricane, turning our world upside down and pointing us in a completely new direction! That’s what happened to me when the Holy Spirit came and pointed me away from a nice easy retirement into becoming a church minister. I did not see that coming!! So, this Pentecost have a celebration. I suggest a barbecue, celebrating those Holy flames! And listen for that voice, invite Jesus in and watch for the effects. It could be exciting! With every blessing, Vivienne.
