“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
John 3:8

Last week, I went for my first longish run since the 100K—ten miles along the coast. I checked the weather before heading out and noticed strong winds moving east to west. My route? West to east. Ten miles straight into a headwind. No way around it.

Then, as I stepped into the elevator, Bob Seger’s Against the Wind came on. No joke. A little too ominous.

Against the wind
I’m still runnin’ against the wind
I’m older now but still runnin’ against the wind
Well I’m older now and still runnin’
Against the wind

Two miles in, I regretted everything. But my friends were waiting for me eight miles down the coast, anchored in a boat. There was nothing to do but press on—step by stubborn step.

That day was part of our annual covenant group retreat. Six pastors, eighteen years of meeting, praying, challenging, and walking with each other through life’s messes. Having them waiting for me at the end of this self-imposed sufferfest? It felt right. In fact, it became a metaphor for how I’m thinking about the year ahead.

Too often, I’ve found myself running against the wind—muscling through in my own strength, ignoring the Spirit’s direction. While there are seasons when endurance is the point, but there are also times when God is inviting us to lift our eyes, hoist our sails, and let His wind carry us.

As François Fénelon once wrote:

“The wind of God is always blowing, but you must hoist your sail.”

So I’m asking: where in your life are you straining forward with your head down, rather than sailing with the Spirit?

When our group gathers, we check in using four categories—what we call the 4 Gs. Maybe these can serve as a spiritual compass for you, too:

The 4 Gs:

• God (Spiritually) – Are your rhythms with the Lord intimate and life-giving? Or are they dry, mechanical, an afterthought?
• Girl (Relationally) – Are you showing up in your marriage and with your kids? Or are you absent—even when you’re physically present?
• Grind (Professionally) – Are you seeing fruit in your work, or does it feel like you’re endlessly pushing a boulder uphill?
• Guts (Physically) – Are you stewarding your body well? Or are you stuck in cycles of fatigue and frustration?

Are you running against the wind or being carried by the Spirit?