Aid is a word that most of us would rather be known for giving it rather than receiving it. Our pride and independence keeps us from accepting help unless we are at the end of our own resources. But we will never reach our full potential in this world without an extra push from behind.
Consider the world of track and field. When an athlete has the wind behind him in certain events, like running a sprint or jumping for height or distance, it is considered wind-aided. In fact if the wind is too high, any records that are broken do not count because they are over the legal limit for wind assistance. Any comparison to athletes competing in less windy conditions would be unfair.
At the time of the American Olympic trials in 2008 Tyson Gay, the previous World Champion, ran the fastest 100 meters ever recorded. But his time of 9.68 seconds was assisted by the 4.1 miles per second tailwind. So, getting help in running a sprint can work against you. But, the greatest potential for human accomplishment is with the wind behind you.
Imagine what it would be like to have the wind at your back for all of your life. Life is not a sprint. It is more like a marathon. There are times when we get tired and discouraged. Wouldn’t it be great if every time we felt like quitting there was a strong tail wind to lift our spirits and our energy?
There is such a wind. It is called the Holy Spirit. In fact the ancient word for “spirit” comes from the greek word, “wind.” One of the most known followers of Christ was Peter. He knew what it was like to fish, speak in public, and swing a sword in his own power. He later learned to wait for the wind to work behind his efforts. The results he experienced later in his life were sometimes supernatural!
He was possibly thinking about the power of living a wind-aided life as he wrote these words,
“For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Peter 1:21
Don’t try to live life in your own power. Stop flapping, and learn to soar, even like a wind-aided eagle.
“those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.”
Isaiah 40:31