Only a few hours had passed, but it seemed like days since Leslie began walking. With each step the dusty road coated her shoes with sandy particles. Her throat was parched from the intense heat scorching her skin. As she lumbered along, she longed for a change in the weather.
Walking through life, we experience all types of weather. In our walk with Jesus, we experience all types of weather too. Such as a dry time, a stormy time or a time of abundant blessings. Have you ever experienced these times with Jesus? Walk with me through the weather and you will see what I mean.
DRY WEATHER
Leslie’s walk in the dry, hot weather left her feeling parched. In our walk with Jesus, there may be dry times when we don’t feel connected to Him. Worries cling to us like particles on a dusty road. Without feeling His presence, we may struggle to have faith. In our struggle the flow of living water within us may seem more like a trickle. Our very souls feel parched.
Unlike our relationship with people, our relationship with Jesus is based on faith, not feelings or sight.
EVEN WHEN WE CAN’T FEEL HIS PRESENCE,
HE IS THERE.
When times are dry, having faith in Jesus in spite of what we aren’t feeling, stimulates the flow of living water. As we give Him our cares, He will lovingly rinse away our worries and quench our dry souls.
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying,
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said,
out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:37-38
STORMY WEATHER
What happens when we walk in stormy weather? We get soaked by rain, debris blocks our path and we sink in the mud! Don’t forget the booming thunder. Who can hear anything over that?
Stressful situations often feel like we are walking through stormy weather without a raincoat. While chaos storms around us, our thoughts sink in confusion and fear. We get soaked by hopelessness. Everywhere we turn it seems our path is blocked. We know Jesus is there, but the chaos booms louder than His voice.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Wear a raincoat and pull up the hood!
When times are stormy, wearing the armor of Jesus protects us like wearing a raincoat, (Ephesians 6:10-18). How about the hood? Doesn’t a hood focus our vision forward and muffle the noise around us? When we focus our eyes on Jesus and find a quiet place to listen, it’s like pulling up our hood. Jesus doesn’t yell, but lovingly whispers His encouragement and plan. When we are quiet and listen, we will hear His voice. 1
Be still, and know that I am God,
Psalm 46:10
Then in the midst of the stormy weather, we will hear His plan and pull free of the mud.
He brought me up also out of the pit of hopelessness,
out of the miry clay
and set my feet upon a rock and straightened my steps,
Psalm 40:2 JUB
SNOWY WEATHER
A deep snow covers everything. Power lines have crashed. Stuck inside, we sit alone absorbing warmth from the fireplace. After a number of days of snowy weather, we feel trapped.
HAVE YOU EVER FELT TRAPPED?
Sometimes we feel isolated as a result of an injury, illness, a loss or our role as a caretaker. Our relationships seem to have crashed like the power lines and we are trapped by snowy weather.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Snowy weather with Jesus can be a time of opportunity. Since we are stuck, why not put our snow boots away and slide into our slippers? Jesus hasn’t gone anywhere. Communication with Him doesn’t require electricity. So, we can take the opportunity to sit before Him and absorb the warmth of His loving Spirit. As we sip on hot chocolate, we can expand the depth of our knowledge and grow our faith in Him.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you,
Proverbs 9:10-11
SPRING WEATHER
It’s spring! New growth explodes in vibrant colors. The fragrant scent of flowers permeates the cool breeze. Let’s not walk, but cast off our boots and run barefoot and free.
Spring is the time with Jesus we all long for.
Our spring weather with Jesus means blessings abound, we hear from Him clearly and life feels care free. Take advantage of this time by noticing all that the Lord has done. New growth will bloom within us as we are thankful, lay aside our cares and the temptations which ensnare us. With Jesus cheering us on we can run the race unencumbered.
Therefore, we also,
since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith,
Hebrews 12:1-2a
IS YOUR WEATHER DRY, STORMY, SNOWY OR SPRING?
WHATEVER IT IS,
THE WAY THROUGH IT IS JESUS.
For we walk by faith, not by sight,
2 Corinthians 5:7
REFLECTION
What weather are you experiencing?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Psalm 46:10 and say it aloud, quiet my soul to hear how you want me to walk through the weather. In Jesus name. Amen.
BY FAITH, WALK WITH JESUS
May your day be filled with love and laughter!
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For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
1 Faith – TUNE IN! – DianeLese
Photo dry, T. Rudy
Photo stuck, A. Spratt
Photo spring, Zaydac
Photo snow, Mommabear5632
