Wind Resistant

I went on a very invigorating walk on Sunday. I didn’t plan this. In fact if I’d taken a closer look at the weather before I grabbed my umbrella and stepped out the door I might have decided against going out. A bit of rain? No problem. I have my magical blue-sky umbrella. It’s lovely. 

What I didn’t expect was how very very windy it would be. I tend to walk laps around the neighborhood. On my first lap I thought I might just make it around the one time as I grasped my umbrella tightly with both hands. It was a wonderful day to test if this contraption was truly wind resistant, as advertised.

Nevertheless, wind resistance only guarantees that this umbrella won’t do that thing that umbrellas do when a great gust of wind gets up underneath them. I wasn’t so assured that it wouldn’t fly through the air with the greatest of ease if I wasn’t holding it so tightly. 

I did get a vision of Mary Poppins. If the wind was stronger and I had superhuman grip there’s a distinct possibility that I might take flight. Who knows where I’d end up given I have no idea how to steer an umbrella.  

So I made my way around the neighborhood smiling at the challenge before me, thinking I’d probably just go round the one time. But that’s too easy. It’s too easy to give in and pack it in just because the weather is a bit challenging. Have I ever backed down from a challenge? Uh… yes, I have. Probably more times than I would care to admit. However, not long after I pondered going back in, I decided that I’d weather the wind instead.

When the wind was forcibly against me, I held my umbrella on an angle out like a shield before me. It found its way around my umbrella and gusted up into my face anyways. Yes, very invigorating. At times the wind would try to lift my umbrella skywards. I’m happy to report, that as advertised, it does hold up to the wind. It stood the test. Did I stand the test? Yes, in fact I smiled more and more as I did my rounds, the wind furiously finding my face. 

My umbrella may be wind resistant. Nevertheless, I still have a ways to go. I’m quite talented at getting lost on thoughts that threaten to pull me under the waves. I’m not the only one. 

There was a disciple of Jesus’ who started to sink when he watched the wind and waves too. However, as he cried out for his Savior, Jesus reached out His hand and pulled him from the water.

Faith is our shield and Jesus is our blue-sky umbrella. However, I know–just as Paul the apostle knew–that I haven’t reached the goal yet. So God tests us with wind and rain. He even tests us with fire. Storms come and storms go until we shine like gold. 

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Press On through the Wind and Rain

These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of His return.

You love Him even though you have never seen Him; though not seeing Him, you trust Him; and even now you are happy with the inexpressible joy that comes from heaven itself. And your further reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:7-9 (Living Bible) 

(Photo credit goes to Pixabay.com user geralt.)