Into the Fire

We are settled into our new home. Sort of. We've now spent one week in this small town out in the country with a magnificent view and the various translations of this city's name proving to be true – as we knew they would. "City of the evil winds" is one translation of Enumclaw (pronounced ee-numb-claw), and we had some of those last night for the second time. I'm not a fan of high winds. They scare me. I prayed through and they have moved on. This is not uncommon for March around our parts – not just in Enumclaw. Hopefully, March coming in "like a lion" will mean it must leave "like a lamb".

High winds, metaphorically speaking, occur in our lives at various junctions along the way. Right now the political climate in this great nation suffers through the howling turmoil of restless winds. As with all solid structures, it takes a huge storm to damage them, and the USA has weathered many a case of high winds in its history, the most recent being the past eight years under a pseudo-leader who has shown no affection for or devotion to the country and the process which allowed him to be in the vaunted position he holds.

Pain and suffering flow through lifetimes, some preventable, some not. Justice careens in and out of situations while final judgment awaits those lifetimes. Evil has its way in all of humanity, but the real good will prevail in the end. There is an outcome designed, methodically plodding and at some point accelerating toward the end of what is known.

High winds can flow through an area and leave debris or they can topple trees and leave great damage in their aftermath. Physical, emotional, and spiritual thrashings result from untethered high winds of the soul. As a people, we have one way to save ourselves from the terror of uncontrollable winds. His Name is Jesus. Laugh, scoff, ignore, or discard at your own risk.

The road to eternity takes its course through high winds. Only One provides a safe outcome.

God, you alone provide salvation from our wicked ways and damaged souls. Thank you for sending your Son to take our sins upon Himself and die in our place.  Thank you for resurrecting Him as you will do for us who believe. We're sin-stained flesh and blood, Lord. No one knows that better than you. We're desperate for you whether or not we realize it. It's hard for us to shed our humanity and look upon the miracle you put in place. Death and resurrection? We struggle to believe in the supernatural and miraculous – yet some will believe in aliens but not demons and angels. We are a fallen lot. We deserve eternal damnation in a place of burning sulphur. Yet your mercy calls us to believe in the One who set us free from eternal death in an endless hell. Thank you is never enough for the eternal rescue from high winds. In the Name, Authority, and Blood of Jesus, Amen.