Mighty Wind

The storm force winds around Victoria and beyond today caused widespread chaos. Moments before I was to officiate a resident funeral, we found ourselves in a blackout situation. The lack of power meant that I had to use my "open air voice" and relocate the organist to the piano. Fortunately, both of us were adaptable to the circumstances! On exiting, we discovered that a huge tree had come crashing down behind the chapel, narrowly missing one of the attendees' parked car and the chapel toilet block.

Amidst the chaos, I recalled my training college days when our training principal, Lieut-Colonel Lucille Turfrey, gave a memorable series on the Holy Spirit. She spoke on the Hebrew word for Spirit, ruach (meaning "breath, air, wind"), commenting that the "wind of God" comes to us with fullness of life-changing power through His gentle, consistent pleading.

Edwin Hatch's words are worthy of our prayerful consideration.

Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure,

Until with Thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God, blend all my soul with Thine,

Until this earthly part of me glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I never die,

But live with Thee the perfect life of Thine eternity.