A Feather on the Breath of God

I've always loved that phrase. It makes me think. It makes me happy.

I'm just a little feather on the breath of a big God.

(Also makes me happy 'cause Hildegard of Bingen first said it and I just studied her in my Music Literature class. Yay for studying without trying!)

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)

"A sound like the blowing of a violent wind", huh? Sounds like a completely terrifying place for a little feather. How can a little feather do anything to resist a "violent wind".

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. (Acts 2:14)

Peter stood up?!? In Luke 24, it says that the disciples were "startled and frightened" to see the risen Jesus! What's this Peter guy doing?!? How could he ever have that much courage to speak?!?

There's no way possible... Unless he's a little feather too. A little feather on the breath of God.

(Here is where you go read verses 15-36, 'cause they're awesome. But I shall not post, because I want to get on to verse 37...)

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

Woah. I mean, this Peter guy just made these guys think. Was it that good of a sermon? *reads again* What's his secret?

Oh wait, that's right... Peter's just a little feather on the breath of a big God. This isn't about Peter. Peter's words did nothing. The Spirit's words did everything.

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-29)

We will receive the Holy Spirit? We will be filled with the power of God? We shall be swept along with the rushing wind? Could the power that raised Jesus from the dead... the power that brought Peter to courage... Could that be in me?

*dances with joy because God*

I'm a little feather on the breath of God, and God's been changing me. A lot. I don't recognize myself sometimes. I feel like a different person.

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. (John 3:5-8)

Spirit, blow your violent wind through my campus, through my town, and through my world! Sweep us up to do your will, to dance like little feathers on the breath of God. May everyone see the glorious  works of your hands in our lives. May we experience revival!

Blow, oh violent wind! This little feather is ready!

Romans 1:1-7 (Part 1: A Calling)

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— ² the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³ regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, ⁴ and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.⁷ To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

(I have the honor of wearing the title of "Lifegroup Leader" at our colleges BSM this coming year. I am looking forward to leading my girls in Bible study, as well as getting to mentor them one-on-one. We are going to be going through the book of Romans for the upcoming fall semester.)

Romans 1:1-7 is a hefty, though short, passage. In these 7 verses, we see: a calling, the gospel, and a commission. 

The calling seen in v. 1 is beautiful - "I am Paul, and I am Christ's servant. I have been called and set apart. This is my identity."

What a beautiful act of faith.

We see a passion for this identity in Philippians 3:7-11:

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

This is Paul. Persecutor of the early church turned persecuted missionary. A Pharisee turned prisoner for Christ. A man who gave up everything because of a calling.

A calling that asked him to re-write the fabric of who he was.

"Radical", we might say. Yes, very radical. Yet, we are ALL expected to make this change in our lives!

Are you willing to let Christ be your identity? Are you willing to be radically changed? To give up everything you have to follow Christ? To participate in his sufferings? 

Sounds dangerous. Terrifying. Foolish.

Yet wonderful.

He is trustworthy. 

He is the Son of God.

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