A journey always starts with a forward movement of some kind. There is then an ensuing process that follows with, in most cases, an ending objective. If you live in Albuquerque, NM and are driving to Denver, CO there is both a starting and ending point. Scripture presents life as being quite similar. Whether individuals recognize it or not, every human is on a journey that begins and ends somewhere. The only difference between some in comparison to others is that ‘believers’ actually know where they are going, while others aimlessly walk down a path disconnected with reality.
This being my first of many varying posts, I would like to lay somewhat of a foundation by making the statement that we are called to move forward into the things of God. There are gifts, encounters, anointings and experiences that await us if we will but daily say ‘yes’ to Jesus and what He has called us to. You see, perception is everything because it is how reality is truly perceived at a heart-level that you in turn define your life. A life that is void of an accurate perception – lacking a root system founded upon the soon to come Kingdom of God – is a life deceived. If to you truth is nothing other than what you see with the natural eye, then you will live for the happiness that you believe this ‘truth’ provides. Nevertheless, if you believe there is more to life than what this world has to offer, you will then have the invitation to live for something unseen. To the former, reality is rooted in and goes no further than the touches, the tastes and the smells of this globe. They look at the believers who are living for more than what is seen and inaccurately view them as giving themselves to something of no value. It makes no sense to them. They wonder why someone would give their whole life to a reality that is based solely on an unseen hope.
Jesus said it best in His meeting with Nicodemus. In His conversation with the Sanhedrin Elder, He speaks of the spiritual realm as a place that cannot be understood by the flesh. In John 3:8 He says, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born on the Spirit.” Jesus is clarifying to Nicodemus that the reason he does not understand the principle of being born again (as He mentioned in vv. 3-6) is because he is not of the spirit. If he were of the spirit, he would be – in earthly terms – like the wind. Those who are not of the wind watch it come and go, having no idea from where it is coming or going. It is mysterious to them and is thus, understood not. So if ones entire lifelong journey was in a windstorm that was picking up dust and sand hindering their ability see what direction they were walking (as the spirit of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers), they would not know where they were going. However, if a person was somehow able to become one-with-the-wind they would have the ability to know where they are going and where they came from. If you are of the wind, then you will understand the wind. Those who are not of the wind do not understand it. The same applies to our journey as Christians whose life is hidden with Christ in the spirit. In this scene Jesus is saying the concept of being born again goes a lot deeper than your moment of receiving Him as Lord and Savior. It’s about journeying down a spiritual road of life that is rooted and grounded in the coming Kingdom. The “wind of the Spirit” becomes something that is no longer just a phrase that we use in prayer meetings to describe a move of God, but it becomes something personal in our walk with the Lord. The Son of Man is addressing a lifestyle, an expedition; an expedition that seeks vision and calling through prayer. By rooting ourselves in the place of prayer and communion with Him we set our minds on things above and begin to be grounded in the eternal reality of Christ’s coming reign where all that is in heaven and on earth is brought together in Him (Eph. 1:10). Intercession then begins because our desires are plumb lined with His.
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, full pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. (Colossians 1:9-11)
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:3)
