The weather app on my phone said it was 17 degrees with strong gusty winds from the northwest. I must have been crazy thinking myself rugged and hardy. So out the door we went, my dog and I. The first half mile wasn’t bad at all. The wind was at my back and my scarf had my neck and ears well protected. Then I rounded two corners to head home. Now the wind was fiercely in my face. Oh what a difference one’s direction makes. I should have known better. A few years ago I was flying over the Tehachapi Mountains going north out of the Mohave Desert, when I looked down and I saw cars and semis were passing me. Even though my airspeed indicator read 135mph I wasn’t going anywhere. One’s direction is everything.
I have a friend who lives on an island west of Alaska where it snows sideways. He, upon reading this, will think I am a wuss for even talking about what would be a pleasant afternoon stroll for him, but for me it was brutal getting home. Even my dog picked up her pace.
But one’s direction IS everything. Sometimes our walk in life is a breeze with the wind at our back. But other times life hits us fiercely in the face and honestly it threatens to be defeating. It is then that the promise of Jesus means everything. He said, “Lo, I am with you always even unto the end.” We never have to make it on our own. He will get us safely home. He never said it wouldn’t be difficult. He did say take up our cross and follow Him. But as tough as it can get He is tougher. Home is a promise.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 20, 2016
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