Wind, Fire, and Spirit

Fire and wind are metaphors frequently used to describe the Holy Spirit in action. You might say that God has used fire and wind to get our attention ever since we were booted from Eden.

After fleeing Egypt to avoid murder charges, Moses became a model citizen in the wilderness. He married the daughter of a respected priest and tended the family's flocks. And then he met God (Exodus 3:1-4):

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

The sound of a rushing wind announced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:2).

We instinctively pay attention to fire and wind. They arouse fear and awe. And sometimes we have to confront death and destruction in their wake. It has been a terrible week for raging fires and powerful winds.

Wind-whipped fires in the west:




A maelstrom of wind called a "ring of fire" in the east:




Disasters like these storms of fire and wind bring out the best in some people. They rush to help and comfort. And some people react badly. Very badly. They almost seem to gloat that they have been spared tragedy while others grieve. Some cannot resist the temptation to blame the disasters on the wrath of God. Others secretly hope and pray that their enemies will be counted among the victims. You can find that impressive and frankly disturbing range of reactions on display in the comments to this video.

If God speaks to us through wind and fire, then what is the message? It is not complicated. Open your heart to the people who have suffered losses. Love them. Care for them as you would wish to be cared for if it were you in their place. Moses was told two things in the burning bush. God hears the cries of his children. Go help. Simple as that. When you see wind and fire, will you run away or run to help?