Body Building: Catching the Wind – Letting the Spirit Empower Our Mission
There’s something majestic about watching a sailboat glide across the water – its sails full, its course steady, its destination ahead. The wind, invisible and powerful, carries it forward with grace and purpose. But that boat only moves when its sails are raised. That’s a picture worth holding onto when we think about the Church – the Body of Christ – and what it means to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Here in the Southeastern District, we long for our congregations and ministries to be healthy, thriving, and missional – to be filled with vitality, purpose, and impact for the sake of Jesus. We talk about having a clear mission and vision: a mission reminds us of who we are and what we’re called to, a vision paints a picture of where we’re headed, and a strategy charts the course to get us there. These are vital. But strategy alone isn’t enough. It gets us out of the port, yes – but without wind in the sails, we drift… or worse, stay anchored.
Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
It’s good and right to make plans. But are we open to the Lord interrupting them?
Let’s be honest: it’s easy to rely on our own experience, training, and good ideas. We know how to build committees, host programs, launch ministries, and analyze trends. But spiritual power doesn’t come from a consultant’s playbook. It comes from the wind of God – the Holy Spirit – moving among us, empowering us, and sometimes redirecting us.
The Hebrew word ruach and the Greek word pneuma both mean wind or breath – and both refer to the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, the wind of God filled the house where the disciples were gathered. That wind blew them out of hiding and into the streets, proclaiming the good news of Jesus in power. The Spirit didn’t just give them boldness – He gave them direction. He gave them movement. He empowered them in their mission. And from that moment, the Church was born.
We see this again in Acts 16:6-10, “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
Paul had a plan. He had a strategy. But the Spirit had something better. The doors to Asia and Bithynia were closed – not because Paul failed, but because the Spirit was redirecting him. And what came next? A brand-new mission field in Macedonia. Churches like Philippi and Thessalonica were birthed from that Spirit-led redirection.
Here’s the challenge for us in the Church today: Are we raising our sails wide enough for the Spirit to fill them? Or are we clinging to the oars of our own ideas, trying to row our way into God’s purpose?
Perhaps it’s time for a posture shift.
Rather than only asking, “What’s our vision?” we must first ask, “Holy Spirit, where are You leading?”
Rather than building the strategy and asking God to bless it, we must first pray, “Lord, align our hearts with Your will.”
Rather than only filling out spreadsheets and timelines, we must first gather around the Word, listen in prayer, and raise our sails fully – open to where the Wind of God might blow.
This doesn’t mean we toss out good leadership, planning, or stewardship. God has gifted His people with wisdom and creativity for a reason. But we must first and always submit those gifts to the Wind of God.
Let this be the posture of ministry in the Southeastern District: Open hands. Raised sails. Hearts tuned to the Spirit’s moving and purposes for His Church.
Because it’s not clever models or programs that fill the world with the presence of Jesus. It’s Spirit-filled people. It’s transformed hearts. It’s churches that move where the Wind of God leads.
Let’s pray together:
Holy Spirit, blow through our congregations. Fill our sails again. Empower us for the mission of Jesus. Direct us as You will. And let the world be filled with Your presence through us, for Your glory. Amen.
Where might the Wind of God be leading your congregation in your next season of ministry?
