Monday Motivation: Chimes

Friends

Storms rage all around us, but God is still there. He is always there. Hold on to His outstretched hand, and He will see you through.

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The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Luke 8:24-25 – NIV

What had started out as a bright sunny day soon vanished. Thick gray clouds made a hasty entrance, rushed to the stage by a bitter gusty wind. I had entered the garden in the sunshine, intent on pruning my butterfly bushes before the spring leaves made their debut. My gardening task quickly switched from pleasure to all business as I struggled to keep my hat in place in the whipping winds.

Above my head, the wind chimes were doing more than their typical tinkle. The wind was tossing them to and fro, the chimes banging and clanging in the biting wind. They never make that much noise, causing me to stop and cast a thoughtful look in their direction.

Swaying in the wind. Tossed to and fro. Gentle voice vanished, the cry of the chimes was panic stricken.

How about you? Have you ever felt like you were swaying in the wind? One moment, life is calm, the sky sunny and bright, sparkling with joy, gleaming with hope. Then, abruptly, the sky darkens, the clouds roll in. The bitter wind cuts through you like a knife. You find yourself tossed to and fro, swaying in the wind, wondering what happened to your well ordered life.

“It’s not fair!”

“Why does it have to be this way?”

“She hurt my feelings.”

“He doesn’t play fair.”

“I can’t do this.”

“I can’t go on this way. It’s too hard.”

We can’t stop the swaying. We can’t halt the swirling emotions of sadness and loss, of rage and regret, of fear and fury. There’s no end to this. There’s no way forward, no way out.

But there is. The way forward depends on what you’re clinging to.

Despite those raging winds, my wind chimes did not fly away. The reason can be found in their connection. A brass ring resides at the top of that tiny set of chimes. The ring rests snugly on a hook, a hook that is securely fastened to the awning. No matter the power of the wind gust, the ring remained firmly attached to that secure hook. The strands of chimes might have been swaying, but they weren’t going anywhere. The connection was strong and secure.

When life throws hard things at us, the hand of Jesus is still outstretched. When people let us down, make us angry, treat us poorly, Jesus hand is there, ready and waiting to lift us up.

So often, we battle our problems alone, failing to pray for guidance, forgiveness, or fortitude. We try to solve it ourselves instead of clinging to His outstretched hand. We are frightened and frustrated, because we seek to weather the storm on our own stamina. No small wonder we sway in the wind.

Stop swaying. Stand up straight. Shift your eyes from your problems and fix them instead on Jesus. Tell Him your problems, the big ones and the small ones too. Talk it out with Him in prayer. Stand on His promises. Trust in His good plan for your life.

Connect with Christ. Let go of fear, frustration and worry. Replace your anguish with trust.

We can’t see beyond the clouds. We can’t stop the bitter wind, but the winds and the waves know His Name. Hold onto His hand, and He will see you through. For no problem or peril is beyond His power. No situation is without hope. Nothing is impossible with God.

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Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Mark 10:27 – NIV

PRAYER

O Lord Jesus, You command the wind, and It knows Your Name. You know our struggles, our problems, our pain. Help us cling to Your mighty and faithful hand, trusting in You to see us through the storm. For nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible with You.

In the Mighty Name of Jesus, we pray,

Amen

Blessings,

Anita

-APS 3/9/2020