Wind

The wind. Today it's not kind or pleasant, it's an adversary.

Because it's the wind that came in violent blasts on my drive home and tossed my truck around at will. It's the wind that's taken out power in complete sections of town. It's the wind snapping limbs from trees. Because sometimes, that's what the wind does.

Sometimes that's what life does. It pushes you around. Bullies you. And wears you down.

And you didn't even see it coming.

For some of us, it's like the past year, maybe more, has just been one big wind storm. A loss of a job. Someone you love becomes ill. The stress of a thankless job. You look around and it's just one more thing to deal with, one more burden for you to manage, one more thing on a "to do" list you already didn't have time to do.

And, like the wind, you never even saw it coming.

In Matthew 14: 22-33, we find the disciples, "... in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him, they screamed in terror, thinking He was a ghost. But Jesus spoke to them at once.

"It is all right," He said, "I am here. Do not be afraid." Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it is really You, tell me to come to you by walking on water." "All right, come," Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed him. "You do not have much faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped...

Here's what I want to point out in this account – sometimes, sometimes, a blessing can be terrifying at first. And Jesus simply says, "I am here. Do not be afraid".

And Peter, trusting Jesus, steps out on faith and onto the water. Then the waves kick up and, *wham*, the rug gets pulled out from underneath him. He was doing alright, trusting Jesus, and now he's sinking, just hoping Jesus will save him. And instantly, He does. Jesus reaches out to grab Peter first, then calms the winds.

Which is what I want you to know, the very promise I hope you land on every day of your life – Jesus puts you first. He reaches out and grabs on to you instantly. Without a second thought. No hesitation. The wind...the waves...that's not His focus, you are. Know that. He will calm those in time, but His first instinct is to grab you and keep you safe no matter how bad the storm.

So as I write this tonight, winds howling and sirens wailing in the distance, I'm thinking about what it must have been like on that lake that night with the disciples. More importantly, I'm thinking what wind storms are raging in your life right now. And I just pray that you know Jesus is reaching out for you and puts you first. Always.

Life will beat on you, bully you and try to bury you. But Jesus will reach down and grab on tight and tell you, "It is all right, I am here. Do not be afraid."

Until suddenly, the wind isn't quite as scary anymore.