North Winds

When the north winds blow through as they have over the past couple of days....the bay waters are blown out 50 to 75 feet leaving the bay bed on the bottom exposed. It is usually a cold and overcast type of day, as it was yesterday, when this happens and it is a true sight to behold. For you can see an unexpected, uncovered beach for miles and miles to the right and left. The seagulls, clustered in groups, walk along the firm and sandy newly exposed bay bed searching for edible treasures ...It is a true sight of tranquility! But it is only for a short little jaunt of time and then the winds change and once again the bay bed is covered....and what I was privileged to see in that tiny little season of time is no longer in sight.

When I look out onto a body of water, be it a lake or a pond or a bay...I not only see the waters but I often wonder what lies beneath. I guess this is why when the north winds come rolling through that I am so captivated by the opportunity to get to see what lies below. It is just one of those beautiful natural phenomenons. And getting to witness it is almost like you have been deemed the winner of an extraordinary opportunity to view one of God's unraveled acts of beauty. But as I savored the scene it made me think of what happens when the winds of disappointment, or failure or heartbreak or discouragement come rolling through my life. What lies beneath me that is exposed? Is my faith the sound ground bed that remains in tact. When all my securities are blown out and I am left uncovered....what lies below my surface? It is what we have within us, beneath the surface, that gives us solid ground on which to stand when the winds blow through.

We never know when the north winds will blow through our lives and leave us chilled with uncertainties and unexpected vulnerabilities. But God does. He knows the plans that he has for us...(Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you)..and what he will use and allow to come our way so that we are in a position to be transformed by him. We can fight God and deny God and run from God....but that will not change what God does and how he uses his winds to expose us not necessarily to others but to ourselves. God gives us a glimpse of the true ground we are standing on... when he allows chilling winds to blow off our cover. When can either be threatened and attempt to grasp desperately onto our worldly securities....or we can stand securely on the bounty of God's grace through our faith. It is odd really...for the things of the world are things we can see and touch and yet they, in reality are merely vapors that can be dissolved at a stroke of God's hand.... whereas the strongholds of God, be it love, or strength, or wisdom,or power, or faith, or grace or position are unseen and yet they are the solid pillars that withstand the winds of uncertainty or change....or intended destruction from adversarial outsiders.

God has offered to be our stronghold that lies within us, beneath our surface. He is the constant that can give us the security to be exposed....For if we honestly believe that God is who he says he is and can do what he says he can do and is present at all times and for all people...and we stand solidly on an unwavering faith that Jesus Christ was sent to this earth as a designated Savior on our behalf....then....when the winds come...as they will.. our faith will be a display of God's beauty and his glory....for all to see. For when we are able to stand on the solid ground of unseen FAITH in spite of difficulties that surround us...that is when we know that the transforming powers of Jesus Christ are at work...sometimes it is not until we are exposed that we really know the depth or solidity of our faith. And sometimes when we are able to stand tall in the midst of blowing adversities, that is also when God allows others to catch a glimpse of something intangible that the world can not give but God can, that they may want to have for themselves.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Dear Lord, Oh, the blessings that surround us are immeasurable. Thank you for your north winds...for when they do blow through...it gives us a chance to really see what is underneath the surface. Bless us with a strong faith Lord as you transform us into being just who you have created us to be for the purposes that you have ordained....for your glory. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!