But the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. (Matthew 14:24) NIV
Sometimes God has been that wind. I started off in my own direction and the wind was against my plans, against my wandering heart, against my half-hearted pursuit of Himself, against my attempts at love outside of His will, against my foolish pride and stubbornness, against my decisions, against anything that would keep me from Him and my destiny in Him. I am thankful for the wind of His Spirit being against me, pushing me so that He can freely flow through me as He turns me toward the safe haven of His love. I need the rushing mighty wind of His Holy Spirit to cause a course correction, to teach me something about myself or Him that I would not have otherwise known. (Acts 2:2) Sometimes adversity has been that wind. Just before the above verse Jesus makes the disciples get into a boat and head across the sea for the other side. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. Jesus knew that the wind would be against them. He knew they were struggling to get to the other side. Instead of going immediately to them we read in verse 25, Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. The fourth watch was between three and six in the morning. He was praying alone in the evening. This means that they were out on the sea fighting a contrary wind for many hours. Have you been here? Fighting the winds of affliction, sickness, loss, rejection, fear, doubt, despair, turmoil within and without? Wondering where Jesus is? As Peter and the others found out, although He seemed delayed in His coming, He was right there, He saw them in their adversity, and He walked out to meet them in it. As Peter stepped out of the boat at the Lord's command and began to walk toward Jesus on the water , ...he saw that the wind was boisterous, and he was afraid and began to sink... (vs 29). Here we see the wind being a violent distraction, and often that is just what our circumstances are---distractions to keep us from walking in faith toward Christ. But...when they got into the boat the wind ceased. (vs 32) The winds swirling all around us are no match for the unparalleled presence of Christ. Jesus is Lord of the wind and the waves. He commands the wind whether it is the wind of adversity, or the strong wind of His Spirit pushing against us, keeping us from blowing off course in our own selfish desires. Don't fear the wind nor be distracted by it's force, but rather let it carry you to ever higher levels of faith! The wind that comes is sent to refine you, to blow away the rough edges and to ever bring you into the safe harbor of His grace and love. The wind is meant to bring you into His presence, onto your knees, deeper into intimacy with Him. He never promised to keep you out of the wind and waves, but He did promise to never leave you nor forsake you in them... (Hebrews 13:5) To subscribe or to learn more about my writing and my blog, please visit my website at hawkewriter.com.
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February 2022
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