Running Into the Wind

Yesterday morning, I went out for my run. That's just one of my things I love to do. I get to be outside, get some 'me' time, get a good chance to talk with God without interruption, and get healthier, too. I just love autumn, no humidity, the air is so light and crisp, but yet the sun's warmth is still there. As I made my way down the road, I was immediately challenged by the wind. It would whip my hair around, and then blow directly at me. Now let me tell you, that's fun.......it's hard to keep running, much less when the wind is pushing against you! My mind went over to the scripture in John 3:8 "The wind bloweth where it wishes and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit." I couldn't see the wind itself but I could see it's effects. The brilliantly colored leaves danced in a circular pattern on the road in front of me, the trees seemed to sing as the wind blew through them, and the cool touch of the wind was welcome to my perspiring face!

I was doing okay, but not until I turned and started running in the other direction did I realize the struggle I was under. Now running the other way, the wind was behind me. I still was cooled by it's touch, my hair seemed to calm down some, but my steps seemed lighter, the struggle wasn't as hard. It was so much more enjoyable.

I looked up into the beautiful blue sky with the puffy white clouds, and seemed to see my Father smile at me. I could almost hear His voice as He said, "See, my child, your steps are so much easier when you are in My will, instead of running against My will."

You see, I'm still His child, 'no one can pluck me from my Father's hand' but I can still choose not to do what He wants me to do. I still feel the effects of being His child. Just like when I was running into the wind, I still felt the coolness of the wind, I still saw the effects of the wind in nature, but I also felt the weight of the wind on me. If I go against my Father's wishes, I still feel His presence, but I can also feel his hand on me........often the hand of judgement. But when I turned and ran with the wind, I still felt the coolness, still saw the effects, but I got help, I got that little needed 'push' in my step as I ran. When I choose to do what His will is, I still feel his mercy, I still see the effects in my life from being His child.........but now instead of that hand of judgement, I feel that helping, loving hand, guiding me along life's path.

Let me tell you.........it is so much better running WITH the wind, so if there's something in your life you just can't seem to let go....let me urge you to just stop, and turn around, let God's will work in your life, your steps will be so much lighter and easier!