A reminder that God’s peace and presence are with you

A lettered quote from DaySpring contributing writer Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young that reads,

This past year, my daughter studied abroad in Scotland and England. I had the privilege of going to visit her for ten days. During my stay, we decided to go on a three-day adventure to Ireland. The true highlight of the trip was a visit to see the Cliffs of Moher on the coast.

The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs on the southwestern edge of the Burren region of Ireland. Soaring two hundred fourteen meters tall, these jagged black cliffs extend their long fingers to the south, embracing the ocean.

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Movie buffs may recognize these cliffs as the place where an iconic movie featuring a princess bride was filmed. The infamous climax scene, where the hero scales the treacherous precipice to save the princess, unfolds along these cliffs.

We boarded a full bus tour, starting in Dublin before the sun was awake, and set out for the destination on our bucket list. Our local guide, Lisa, ushered us to the sight known for its tall tales of the cliffs and the details of the fantasy world that accompanies them.

The weather was dreadful with biting cold, whipping wind and rain pelting down on us. Somehow, though, this added to the adventure. My daughter and I were dressed in head-to-toe black puffer jackets and beanies to brave the elements. We giggled at how crazy it felt to be out there traversing the trails along the Cliffs of Moher.

These cliffs were punctuated by stripes of emerald green. The rocks were stacked on top of each other like a many-layered dark chocolate cake ready to topple. I wanted to walk to the end of the trail to see the cliffs from all vantage points. This meant we had to battle against the wind.

After we made it to the final lookout, we started back up the staircase we had previously descended. I could feel the wind whirling around me, pushing my back and nudging me forward. I moved one step at a time, trying to steady myself.

It was a supernatural moment.  

I was, at once, awed and overwhelmed by the wind as it enveloped me, prompting words to spill from my lips in a whispered prayer. I asked the Holy Spirit to pour out a fresh wind on my family and me. We have been weathering a long season of trying to discern direction on some key decisions.

The word often associated with the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible is ruach, often translated into English as breath or wind or breeze. The ruach’elohim is hovering over the waters like an eagle spreading her wings and riding the wind (Genesis 1:2 NIV). This reminds us that the Spirit was present at the creation of the world.

In John 14:16-17 NIV, Jesus describes the Holy Spirit this way:

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

The phrases “with you” and “in you” in this passage remind us that the Spirit is God’s personal presence. The Spirit is an advocate, a guide and a constant presence within us. The Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27 NIV). That brings me a sense of calm and comfort, knowing I have an ever-present teammate.

In Acts 2:1-2 NIV, Paul describes evidence of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

All of the people experienced the power of the Spirit collectively and individually in this moment. I imagine their senses were ignited as they heard the sound of the wind and felt the intensity of it weaving among them.

The Spirit remains as mysterious and powerful as the great ocean waves crashing against the Cliffs of Moher, and yet I feel the Spirit’s presence. Sometimes it’s a nudge to talk to a stranger or student, to reach out to a hurting friend or to pursue an option or idea I hadn’t considered before. Sometimes it’s a sense of peace that wells up inside, despite the swirling chaos and harrowing news around.

When the wind came up behind me and hemmed me in as I was ascending that staircase, I felt a rush of exhilaration, holy respect and surprising confidence in my soul.

We may not always see the Spirit, but we can rest assured that the Spirit is with us.

Friend, I want to remind you that you are never alone. The future may feel unknown, but we can trust in ruach, the breath of God, that fills us, pushes us to the next right step and guides us on the path of His glory.

A black and white portrait of DaySpring contributing author Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young.

Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young is a published author, speaker, mentor and co-host of the Hear Women podcast. She delights in coaching speakers and writers to find their unique voices and to flourish in their God-given callings. A remarried widow, she loves to go on travel adventures with her husband Shawn and three daughters. Connect with her at DorinaGilmore.com.