Strong Winds from Heaven:
Renewal Softens, Revival Uproots
April 4, 2023
In my neck of the woods, southeast of the United States, there has been a lot of rain in the past few months. It has gotten warmer in the past few weeks, and storms have increased, bringing in strong winds. There have been some tornados. That’s normal ‘round here. But, mostly, it has been severe thunderstorms with strong winds. All the rain has softened the ground. All the strong winds have uprooted many trees. It hasn’t just snapped them in half but completely uprooted them. Not just little trees, either. Established trees. As I walked through one of my favorite parks recently, seeing (mourning) another batch of fallen trees, I felt the Holy Spirit drop this word into my spirit. Renewal softens the ground. Revival uproots what doesn’t belong.
I’ve been sitting with this statement and asking the Lord for details. Here are some notes I made.
There has been a worship renewal in the Church for decades now. The combination of worship and prayer has been prepping individual hearts, the heart of the Church, and even the land we inhabit (I would say both spiritually and literally). Worship and prayer have been breaking up fallow ground. This renewal is preparing us for a work of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t believe it has begun, or we’ve only gotten a small taste of this move of the Holy Spirit. But there is a strong wind of heaven brewing. When it begins to move across our land and the heart of the church, we can expect two things.
- One. It will uproot everything that does not belong. I’m reminded of the Philistine god, Dagon. When the ark of God had been captured by the Philistines and placed in the house of Dagon, the image fell facedown in the night. The second night, it fell down again with its head and hands cut off (1 Samuel 5). Every idol, every falsehood, every other love will not be able to stand when this strong wind from heaven blows through. If it can shake, it will be shaken (Hebrews 12).
- From a different perspective, the renewal of worship and prayer is also a prime time for us to weed our own hearts. If you have a garden, you know the best time to pull weeds is after it rains. The ground is so giving. The renewal has softened hearts because it is God’s kindness that leads to repentance. I wholeheartedly believe there are willing participants today that are moving with the Vinedresser, looking for weeds and anything that inhibits the intimacy and the Word from taking root. Thank you, Jesus!
- Two. When the strong wind of heaven comes, it will also spread seeds and cross-pollinate within the Body of Christ (not the church and the world). I see the word of God springing up in our hearts like never before with wisdom and revelation. The eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of you (1 Corinthians 12) — so let’s cross-pollinate. Fruit from one house will land in another yard. Partake and take the seed and plant it. People will be transported from one place to another too, or pop up on each other’s radars. I see the Body of Christ locking arms and roots, strengthening, unifying!
Strong winds from heaven may sound scary, but they will make room for the new thing God is doing—making room for this hour of the Church which will not survive if there is no change.
Surrender to the renewal (worship and prayer) that is happening. It is a circular rhythm, continual and complete from our feet to our heads. Prepare your hearts with willing repentance and pulling of weeds. And do not resist the strong winds of heaven. Let them do their work. Do not try to control them. Do not try to monopolize on them. Let them do their work.
Brave Sparrow 
Such an outstanding word. I believe and agree with all that you have stated. Thank you for sharing.
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