Weather

It seems as though weather is the "cold" topic for the next few days. We are seeing history being made in temperature lows and snow inches and icy conditions and the weather is causing chaos in many areas of the United States. Everything from schools closing to public transportation being interrupted to road closures, to flight cancellations etc. We talk about the weather, and all the conditions that it brings but how often do we "consider the source" of the weather conditions and the power and authority that is manifested through it.

Isn't that they we we are with so many things...we look at the situation without regard to the source? After I heard my daughter talk about this bible study that she has been attending and the mountain road analogy that I touched on yesterday, I thought I want to hear her myself. So I went yesterday to hear the second part of the mountain road talk. What does this have to do with weather...well just this...her bottom line...the ground that she stood on time and time again...is: God wants us to make much of HIM! We make much of the weather...we make much of our trials, we make much of our situations and conditions...but how often do we make much of HIM?

For far to often we put such emphasis on the condition and not the source. Granted when we have inclement weather we have to deal with it, but if/when we do deal with it don't you thing that God may just want us to not just be focusing on the weather and how cold it is or how bad the roads are or if the pipes and plants are appropriately covered, though all of those are important, we maybe are to look around and praise God for seasons, for a change here and there...

Same with life...if we go about life in a status quo mentality and seldom see a need for variety or change...or accept change that God has purposed we grow stagnant; stagnant in our motivation, in our joy, in our delight and in our awareness.

We are called to make much of God...in all situations...weather it is raining discouragment, or snowing fear, or shining joy...God is in the living middle of it....all of our situations. When we talk of weather, we must also consider the origin of weather. When we talk of situations that are before us we must also consider the source.
Though God may not devise the situation, he has allowed it....and will deal with it according to his purposes and make it fall into his plan for ultimate good.

Just as we speak of weather and its many facets, so are our lives filled with the variety that parallels weather. There are days when we are blinded by falling rains or foggy clouds, there are days when we are blessed by the warmth of the sun, there are days that make us shiver with fear and anxiousness, and days of pure joy that are ridden with cool breezes and clear skies. But in all the days that we live...and the changes we entail....our God remains constant. Constantly loving, constantly forgiving, constantly overseeing, constantly helping us to seek the purpose that he has devised for each of our lives. We are to "make much of God" no matter what the prevailing weather is in our lives at this time.

Isaiah 55:9-11




9

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.


We can talk about the rains (heartaches, grief, disappointment, frustration) or the fog (anxiousness, lack of clarity, waiting) or the sun (which can bring about scorching emotions or fiery trials) or the overcast days (when you just can't see the footprints where God has gone before you....and "self" has overshadowed God's presence ) ...but the real story is about God, the creator and overseer and authority who reigns above it all. The giver of the blessings that are before us and His joy and peace upon us in spite of weather conditions. It is about HIS provision in all types of weather. For no matter where we stand....he doesn't stand "beside" us as we weather our days, he stands "within" us. And that alone is enough to give us hope in all conditions.

My mom used to say "whether it is cold or whether it is hot we will have weather whether or not"...it sounded so lame at the time and truly it was one of her favorite lines...but looking back at it...it really is quite profound...for we have to weather each day as it is presented....and with the help of Christ himself...we are able to do just that by His grace and through HIS mercy. Glory be to God! Praise HIM!

Dear Lord, Help me not to make much of the situations that I am faced with rather make much of you; knowing that no matter what I am facing you will equip me with the provisions I need when exposed to them. Amen

Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in....for His glory will shine through!