Across the prairies, the windmill has been and still is in many places, an important part of agriculture on the prairies. To many people it is a symbol of history and carries memories. Windmills were visual symbols used to carry out the theme, “Spirit- Driven,” at the Lutheran Laymen’s League Convention which Glenn and I recently attended in Nebraska.
With the windmill as a symbol for the Christian’s life, Paul’s words to Timothy… “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline,” were the basis for carrying out the theme “Spirit- Driven”.
So, how is our life like a windmill?
- parts of the windmill…
- the blades…our mind, body, and spirit
- held together by two bands of metal…The Word and Sacraments
- the gearbox with gears that work together to pump water from down in the well to the surface…the gifts of power, love, and self-discipline propels us to move from timidity to courage and draw life–giving water to give to others
Let me explain…
- Just as the wind blows the blades and propels the pump shaft to bring up refreshing water from down in the earth, so the Spirit of God is the wind that blows the truth of Jesus and His Word into our lives to keep us going. The Spirit propels the ‘blades’ of mind, body, and spirit, thus we are driven by the Spirit of God which comes to us through Jesus.For He gives himself to quench our thirst…”whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst…the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life,” John 4:14.
- Just as the gears are held together by an inner and an outer metal band, so we are held together by the Word and the Sacraments through which the Spirit of God enables us to balance the gifts of self-discipline, power, and love enabling us to actions and words that show love.
- As the gear box works to pump water from down inside the well to the surface, so, God moves us from timidity and gives us His courage to pump the thirst quenching, life giving and eternal water of Christ Jesus into the lives of family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and even strangers.
We are Spirit driven, empowered by God, to do mighty things!
The work of the Lutheran Hour Ministries is indeed amazing…many stories of how God is changing lives through the Lutheran Hour Ministries encourages us to share our stories.
A bit of Lutheran Hour Ministry Trivia that might be of interest…
- The Lutheran Hour is heard over 1350 radio stations
- We have Lutheran Hour Ministries offices in 30 nations…the directors were guests at the convention! That is 30 different ethnic groups!!
- Men’s Network, video based Bible studies, has reached 3000 congregations and recently received awards for the quality of the production
- Mission U opportunities available to congregations starting in October.
- Over 100 million people in the United States are unchurched
- Lutheran Hour Ministries is a congregational resource for outreach…watch for an outreach equipping opportunity coming in April in St. Cloud.
- Learn more at lhm.org…learn how you can support and be part of Lutheran Hour Ministries
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