No shortage of wind to work our windmills

There’s a windmill and capped well where I work next to a new well with an electric pump. Most of the windmill is intact, but the vane’s been locked in the furled position so whenever the wind blows, the wheel doesn’t turn. It couldn’t pump water anyway because the sucker rod’s also been removed. The windmill does still try to align itself with the wind occasionally, making an eerie screeching sound.

So, this windmill is strictly ornamental, still standing only for its historic aesthetics, having been repurposed for that to maintain at least some value. Otherwise, it’s non-functional for the purpose for which it was originally designed.

There are some similarities between windmills, churches (local congregations) and Christians.

First, all three are driven by the wind, and without the right wind, they cannot perform the function for which they were designed/created. We have no shortage of wind in our area to drive windmills. Similarly, the Holy Spirit, described in the original language of the Bible as the wind of God’s breath, is given without limit and is to be allowed to drive the very lives of Christians and the local congregations they compose as opposed to any other force of wind (Genesis 1:2; 2:7; Job 33:4; Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 3:8; 20:22; Acts 2:2-4; John 3:34; Galatians 3:26-29; 4:6-7; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; Ephesians 3:20-21; 4:11-16). For the Spirit to complete God’s work in and through Christians, we must unfurl our lives to his influence (John 15:1-10).

Second, God’s original intent for Christians and the church is to make salvation known to all people (Ephesians 3:2-11). Everything Christians do as individuals and as a church should have a basis in leading others to Christ (Titus 2:1-15; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 2:12). God never has changed the purpose of the church or added any additional purposes to that original intent.

Also, unlike the new well with an electric pump drilled next to the original well, God hasn’t authorized any replacement for the church to fulfill his intentions, though some churches have become strictly ornamental, being more committed to social programming and entertainment than using those as opportunities to lead others to Christ (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). They’re disconnected from the head and just make strange sounds for which they’ll be accountable (Colossians 2:18-23; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Revelation 2:1 to 3:22; 2 Peter 2:15-22; Matthew 15:1-14; 7:15-27).

The Labor Day holiday weekend is coming up. But because of COVID-19, many cannot participate in positive, productive, gainful employment, during which they could also show the Spirit at work in their lives. That shouldn’t keep any Christian from allowing the Spirit to work through them in other areas. So, whether or not you’re employed, do whatever you can as a Christian to show others Christ living in you, because you’ll become known by and for your actions (Mark 14:1-9; Galatians 5:16-25).

Are you allowing the Spirit to do God’s work in and through you (Philippians 2:12-16; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Romans 12:1-16)?

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]