Originally posted February 24, 2012

Effective Christian leadership flows out of a spiritual life that is alive and vibrant.

Years ago I learned that for a leader to develop and maintain a healthy walk with God, it begins and ends by simply spending time in “windy places”.

A windy place is any place where you can predict that the “wind” of the Holy Spirit is likely to be blowing.

Throughout scripture one of the most common word pictures used to describe the working of the Holy Spirit is that of the wind, (John 3:8, Acts 2:1-3). Indeed, in Greek (the language of the New Testament) the words for “wind” and “spirit” are almost interchangeable.

How does this practically relate to our spiritual lives?

My “a-ha” moment came when a friend introduced me to a new business venture he was launching; windmill farming. He showed me how windmill farms can harness the immense energy of the wind and can convert it into electrical power.

My friend explained to me that the key was knowing where to place the windmills. He told me that you can’t simply stick these windmills in any random spot. First you must conduct extensive research to know precisely where the best place is for the windmill farm.

Because you only want to place your windmills in a place that is predictably windy.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy soul, think of yourself like a windmill. Your job is to know where the wind of the Holy Spirit is likely to be blowing, and then to spend lots of time in that place.

You may find that you experience the wind of the Spirit blowing through the pages of scripture, or you might experience gale force winds of the Spirit in solitude or in worship.

The point is to move away from exerting effort into trying to spin your own blade, and instead toward spending time where the wind is blowing, and to allow His wind to turn your spiritual blades.

If you sense that your spiritual blades just aren’t moving, try shifting your perspective, and start simply spending more and more time in windy places.

I believe your soul will be filled, and your leadership will be refreshed.

Where have you experience the winds of the Holy Spirit in your life?