Wild Geese fly in a V formation. The lead goose reduces the wind resistance; the others glide, almost effortlessly, in the currents she has created.
During a storm, the eagle waits perched on the edge of its nest for the wind to gain sufficient velocity. Once she knows the direction in which the wind is roaring, she spreads her wings wide, and effortlessly glides into the winds of the storm.
Have you ever seen hawks or eagles soar, wings outstretched, rising without a single beat of their magnificent wings, soaring, soaring? They are soaring on thermal currents—masses of air that rise when the ground rapidly warms up. Or sometimes, obstruction currents, when wind currents are deflected by mountains, cliffs or tall buildings. The resulting updraft lifts them to high altitudes at which they glide.
* * *
The Wild Goose was an emblem of the Holy Spirit in Celtic tradition.
And the eagle, in Scripture, is a symbol both of God, and God’s people.
Eagles never waste their energy flapping their enormous wings—they wait for, and then use thermal currents and obstruction currents to soar on the wings of the wind…
Flying is so much easier when we sense the direction the wind of the Holy Spirit is blowing in our lives, and in the world, and then open our wings and fly in that direction, using the energy he generates within us, and in circumstances around us.
* * *
I have been reading about “the anointing,” in R. T. Kendall’s splendid, “The Anointing.”
He writes: “The anointing is when our gift functions easily. It comes with ease. It seems natural. No working it up is needed. If one has to work it up, one has probably gone outside one’s anointing. If one goes outside one’s anointing, the result is often fatigue, that is weariness or spiritual lethargy that has been described as ‘dying inside.’”
* * *
I find that with my writing on my blog, and indeed all writing. God is speaking. Not God spoke, but God is speaking. He is by His nature continuously articulate, A. W. Tozer wrote. If I listen to what the Spirit is saying to me through the events of my life, record the mini-revelations or epiphanies given to me each day by the God who speaks continuously and is never silent, then blogging is quick, easy and delightful. And what’s more, it often speaks to people.
It’s when I write to grow my blog, wonder if I should write the topical posts that everyone else is writing, be strategic, capture the zeitgeist– that blogging feels heavy, a chore, work rather than play. Why? Because the wind of the Spirit is not helping me soar; I have to expend scarce energy with a mighty, exhausting flapping of wings.
There is a lightness to God’s work, an amused creativity—we get the impression He tossed off zebras, giraffes, toucans, morpho butterflies and orchids in a massive outburst of creativity. God was at play as these beautiful things came into being, step by step through the mighty forces of evolution. His work was deep play.
* * *
In his book, Homo Ludens, or Man the Player, the Dutch historian and cultural theorist, Johan Huizinga, suggests that culture stems from humans at play, humans playing with words, or music or paint or the sketches of mighty cathedrals.
And when I record the whispers of the spirit, write in the updraft of the wild goose of the Holy Spirit, blogging is easy, light and delightful. It has a bit of the playfulness with which I imagine God made the world. I am playing in the fields of the Lord, playing with God, thinking aloud, probably making all sorts of mistakes–but there is a fun and lightness to it all.
Read my new memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India (US) or UK.
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My book of essays: Wandering Between Two Worlds (US) or UK
Bill Baldwin says
WONDERFUL!! R.T. Kendall is one of my favorite authors and I’ve read the book you mention in this article.
Your article spoke to me so much! Thank you.
I have something I would like to email you, if I may.
Anita Mathias says
Thanks. Yes, email me. AnitaATanitamathias.com
Mollie Lyon says
I taught the teens this morning on the Holy Spirit in their lives, why He is there and to learn to depend on Him, more. I encouraged them to look for the adventure of His leading. I’m excited to hear what they say next week. This is a great post to read and I will pass this on to them.
Anita Mathias says
Wow, teaching teens is a really good investment of your time. Good for you, Mollie!
Mollie Lyon says
Yes, it is our fellowship’s Teen Bible Quiz. The concept is like the old College Bowl in the quizzing. They memorize chapters of assigned books for the year and meet to quiz with teams from other churches. It is a ministry that stretches one amazingly.
We hadn’t done it for years at our church, but on Pentecost Sunday, my daughter and I both felt led to coach teams again. As with most things worthwhile, guaranteed struggles and hurdles emerged. Initial year especially feels uphill. I do so want the teens to experience the Holy Spirit’s help in their lives, as well as have a basis for Bible study.
Anita Mathias says
Wow, amazing. I hadn’t heard of Teen Bible Quiz. How lovely to have Scripture tucked away in your memory like that!
Mollie Lyon says
One official at a fest told a story while we were waiting for the other team to arrived. He had been in one of the Twin Towers on 9/11. He had been memorizing the scripture for that year, as a coach, but sheltered under the desk, not knowing if he would live or die, the words he memorized in junior high for Teen Bible Quiz are what came back to him in that dark hour.
Anita Mathias says
Wow!
Ali says
As with so many of your blogs, this has resonated with me today-that when i am doing the things God made me to do, which for today has been hospitality, it is such a joy! Thank you 🙂
Anita Mathias says
Yay, Ali. I am so glad it resonated with you!