When the winds of life kick up on us, we have two options

2 min read

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. -Ephesians 6:13

As I sat on the porch enjoying a late autumn afternoon, the Lord helped me to notice something beautiful and instructive happening right in front of me. It was an everyday phenomenon that is so common that I normally don’t see it.

Though the sky was clear and the sun was still big and bright, there was also a strong, swirling wind. For some reason, my eyes fixed on a cluster of ornamental grass that was whipping back and forth.

As I watched, it occurred to me that what kept the tall stems of grass with big flowing heads on top of them from snapping off was their ability to sway with the wind. In God’s brilliant design, they had a bendyness about them that allowed them to absorb and sustain the force of the wind. The wind would lay them sideways for a moment, but they would come back to a vertical position every time.

The same goes for us. If we are going to be able to stand in the wind, we must be able to sway. By the grace of God, we can be bendy even when it feels like we’re about to break.

Dear God, help me to sway when the winds of life are blowing hard against me. May I not respond to the pressures and problems with faithless rigidity, but with faith-infused flexibility. When I’m facing circumstances that would otherwise knock me off my feet, may your grace give me the strength to stay upright. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The wind would lay them sideways for a moment, but they would come back to a vertical position every time.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.