In John 3:8, Jesus likens the Spirit of God (or those born again of the Spirit) to the wind. We cannot see the wind, but we can see its effects.

Tonight, I ran. I hate running. When I finished my excruciating five minute jog, I sat down on the rocking chair outside to rest. As I looked out, I saw that the wind was blowing. But I couldn't feel it. The wind chime nearby was ringing, the awning was flapping, but I felt nothing. Why? Because I was under the roof of the porch.

We often see the effects of God in others' lives and wonder how everyone around can be moved but us. Sometimes it's at a church and its a matter of style or preference. Sometimes it's started by one person and everyone else wants to save "spiritual face" so they fake it. But sometimes, a group of people encounter a situation so difficult or inspirational that everyone is radically affected by it - except me.

I get so mad at God that He would speak to everyone in the room but for some reason ignore me. But He's not. I'm hiding. Just like it would be silly for me to slip under my bed and be upset when someone walked by without noticing, it's naive for us to imagine that God is ignoring us. If we really truly don't want to be found, He'll leave us alone. God is not currently in the habit of forcing worship upon us. There will be a day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, but that is not today. Genuine worship is our choice. And until we choose it, He'll leave us sitting on the porch.

Finally, bravely, I stepped off the porch. For a moment, I felt nothing but as I closed my eyes and searched for the sensation of wind against my skin, I eventually felt it. I knew what to look for, because I've felt it before (much like the voice of God or the urging of the Holy Spirit). And then it came. And the more I trusted and believed I would feel the wind, I did. Eventually, I opened my eyes and saw the flowers bending, the leaves spinning, and the chimes swaying. No longer was I bitter and jealous of their movement, but I rejoiced that we were all feeling the same wind!