Pastor's Note

YOU CAN’T SEE IT, BUT…
September 10th, 2006

A few weeks ago, I spent some time visiting a “Windmill Museum” in Indiana. There must have been nearly a hundred different types of windmills of many sizes and shapes standing in this outdoor display. It looked almost like a field in which someone had planted some unusual seeds that had grown up as windmills.
What I learned is that wind has been harnessed over the centuries from three different types of windmills. Some mills are used for grinding wheat or other grains. Those are the ones with long arms that rest on top of a small grinding shed. Secondly, there are mills that pump water from the earth. This kind used to be common on farms throughout the Midwest. Finally, there are those that use wind to generate electricity. This museum had a few small examples of that type of mill. One can see excellent and very large examples of such windmills just west of Bowling Green on Rt. 6.
In all cases, what struck me is that wind, which seems present on all parts of the earth, can become a friend and an advocate in human endeavors. So frequently, we hear of the destructive power of wind, as in hurricanes or other storms. But wind is also necessary for pollinating crops, cooling a hot day, or for providing power through windmills.
Wind cannot be seen, but that doesn’t mean it is not there. As I noticed at the museum, even on a day that seemed calm, there was enough wind to turn the wheels. Power that may be easily overlooked was truly present, and the windmills helped us notice it.
There are many other invisible powers that affect our lives. We may remain oblivious to them, but they are there nonetheless. Some are love, friendship, God’s grace, and the strength of belonging to a community. Even a little of these wonderful elements can make a difference in our lives. We may not see them, but they make a tremendous difference.