“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.” (Leo F. Buscaglia)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:2-6)
As I write this Sunday Reflection, the wind is really blowing here in central New Mexico. The forecast is that gusts may be as high as 60 – 70 mph. A category one hurricane starts at a wind speed of 75 mph.
I made the mistake once of saying to my friend, Michelle Wade, that I enjoyed the winds of New Mexico and she has never let me forget that. Actually I do enjoy the winds as long as they aren’t cold winds. Those I can do without.
When the winds blow here, primarily in the Spring, it makes me aware of being alive. It makes me aware that we are subject to the laws and vagaries of nature. The wind is something we can’t control. There’s something exciting about watching the trees bend against the strength of the winds. I feel the same way when I see a lightning storm. It’s scary and exciting all at the same time.
Wind can be destructive, but it can also be used to our benefit. It can power our energy needs, at least to some degree. It can provide entertainment like this picture of a sailboat. The sound of the wind in the trees can be soothing to our souls. I love to see Morgunn and Sugar in the wind and watch their manes and tails flowing like signal flags on a ship.
When we go out this afternoon to feed Sugar and Morgunn, I may have to stand and walk into the winds. Sometimes, like today, it can be so strong that I have to lean into the wind to keep my balance.
Life is like that sometimes. There have been many times when the winds of life – injury, sickness, loss – have threatened to blow me off my feet. I don’t know how I would have made it without Jesus Christ in my life. He and the hope he offers has been the anchor that has kept me leaning into and standing firmly in the midst of these life winds.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. (Hebrew 6:19-20)
