The truth of the matter is, we’re talking about what we know; we’re testifying about what we’ve seen— yet you don’t accept our testimony. 12 If you don’t believe when I tell you about earthly things, how will you believe when I tell you about heavenly things? ~ John 3:11-12
Honestly, hurricanes excite birders, or at least those close enough to get to the coast soon after one passes by. The perfect storm for a birder is one that does no damage onshore, thus making access possible, but rides up the coast long enough to push some southern birds to the north. Lacking avian meteorologists, birds have no way of knowing when a mighty wind will arise or from where. What they do know is how to avoid danger by riding the wind. This means that birds at sea will deal with the threat of an oncoming storm by taking off as the winds build and ride them to stay ahead of the worst of it. This often means that at some point they get tired and drop out of the tempest on to land or inland water bodies. When this happens, sightings like a Magnificent Frigatebird in Freeport, or a White-tailed Tropicbird in Vermont happen. Recently, a Roseate Spoonbill found their way Downeast for a few days. Since the winds that brought that bird were not from a hurricane, the report was that much harder to believe.
When those “impossible” sightings happen, there are two options for accepting the validity, personal experience and trust of the reporter. The former is undeniable, your experience is always valid for yourself. Although, to be fair, some experiences are so outlandish that you might find yourself doubting yourself. The latter, unless there is photo evidence, involves assessing how much faith you have in the person doing the reporting. I can imagine that this was Nicodemus’ quandary. He must have wanted to trust Jesus, yet couldn’t wrap his head around a spiritual experience so foreign to his own experience.
The Spirit is like that, swirling around where you don’t expect, or particularly want divinity. The Holy Spirit is both the Wild Goose that takes us on a chase into uncharted territory as well as the unruly wind that provides the flight. That means that no one can predict how and when you will experience God, so don’t let them. And when you experience inconceivable spiritual surprises, just wonder, be open, and smile.
Prayer: Still-speaking God, breathe on us gently we pray, but if you need to blow us away with a shout, we understand. Amen.
