Freedom In The Wind

Romans 12:14-21 – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV)

It was another windy day. I was coming back home on the sunny side of the street to get to my building. As I came around a corner, the wind picked up to gusts over 70 kilometres per hour, whirling debris around. Before my unbelieving eyes, trash of all sizes, shapes, and colours was flying in the fury of the attack. I looked at it all, marvelling at the violent fit of the wind that was unfastening anything loose in its cross fierceness, ramming and roaring relentlessly.

As I turned around the next corner, my eyes met a clean street and sidewalk, as if a cleanup had been performed. Though I could still feel the wind, there was not a speck of trash anywhere — entirely different scenery lay before me.

I began thinking how it is with our spiritual walk in the winds of our lives and painful encounters. Issues of all sizes and colours and shapes gust against us, unfastening our guard and causing us to cry out to God for immediate help.

We all have messes of all sizes and shapes in our lives, caused either by ourselves or by others, that need cleanup service. God in Christ is waiting to break into our everyday situations before we even ask or seek for His assistance.

The gusting wind made me think of the Holy Spirit as our Helper. Where it comes from and where it goes is a mystery. But the results in our lives are clear: a cleanup is apparent. Peace of mind is evident, and comforting love surrounds the heart. Jesus says, "My peace I give you!" "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (John 14:27; Hebrews 13:5 NIV)

Problem solved!

Galatians 5:1 – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (NIV)

Trusting Jesus to help us deal with the winds of life, we find ourselves lifted above, overcoming all things, and rejoicing through it all — with the Holy Spirit filling our existence with beauty, glory, and love! Shall we agree in Jesus' name?

Prayer: Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for demolishing our obstacles time and again, and for resolving our trials and spells of anxiety with Your presence and power. We thank You, triune God! We pray for Your presence with all who seek You in the midst of their trying and painful encounters. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.