The Wind
This past Friday, it was really warm out. The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, the birds were chirping; it really felt like an actual spring day. I ended up going to my grandma’s house and chilling in her backyard for a couple hours. It was there that I was struck by something that I hadn’t really ever considered. What does the breeze even look like? How would I go about describing something that I can’t actually see?
Christina Georgina Rosetti writes this about the wind:
Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling, the wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads, the wind is passing by.
In this way, we can close our eyes and know what the wind truly is. Although the wind cannot be seen in a literal sense, it can be seen or understood by other means: in the rustle of leaves, in the bending of trees, and occasional goosebumps.
Paul writes something similar to describe God, someone we can’t really see either. Colossians 1:15 says, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” We know that The Son is Jesus, so what is Paul trying to tell us? I don’t think Paul was trying to let us know that God has long hair, a beard, he’s 6 feet tall and he travels all over the Middle East. What Paul is really saying is that by being in relationship with Jesus, someone who really existed, we get to be in relationship with an invisible God at the same time. When we look at the teachings and miracles of Jesus, they are the teachings and miracles of God. By sharing and walking with Jesus, we are doing so with God. This is what faith is. This is who God is.
In response to all this, I want to challenge you to really reflect on who God is. Ask yourself, who is God to me? What can I do to understand him more? How would I describe God to someone else? I often think that God is like the wind, I can’t see him, but I know him in other ways. I often separate Jesus and God in my mind, but Paul is telling us that by being in relationship with Jesus, I am also in relationship with God. I will be taking this time to ponder on who God is, and I encourage you to do the same. Whenever I open my Bible to spend time with the Lord, I ask him to reveal himself, and He always does. I miss you guys, and I hope this devo encourages you when you feel like God is far away. May He draw near to you, and may you feel His presence like the breeze on a beautiful spring day. – Naomi Castaneda
Journal Guide: Answer these questions alone in your journal. They will help you process what God might be trying to tell you.
1. Think of something like the wind, or something else that you cannot see, and try your best to describe it. What does it feel like? Are other things affected by it—other people, plants, animals?
2. The Bible tells us that we are the “image of God.” What does that mean to you?
3. What are some ways you can learn more about God? Challenge yourself to practice these new ways in the next week.
4. Take some time and write a prayer to God. Ask Him to reveal who He is to you.
Conversation Guide: Ask these questions to your siblings or your mom or your dad. We think around the dinner table or right afterwards is the best time.
1. How would you describe something that you couldn’t see?
2. The devotional today talked about Jesus being the image of God. What do you think that means?
3. How can I be praying for you?
Prayer: Read Colossians 1:15 and John 14:9 and pray this quietly to God:
Dear God, I want to know You even though I can’t physically see You. Please reveal Yourself to me through the teachings of Your Son, Jesus. I love you so much. Amen.