Wind

Today is a really windy day, and it kind of makes me think of how the past couple years I've went in a million different directions. I think maybe it's because the wind is blowing everything around outside that brought that to mind. When I was in college I changed my major at least 5 times and have nothing to show for it, I've fallen in and out of Church, and I've moved a lot. I was reading in Psalm, and I came across a few verses that stood out to me. In Psalm 78:34-39, it says:

34 When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God.
35 Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer.
36 Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth, And they lied to Him with their tongue;
37 For their heart was not steadfast with Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant.
38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, And did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, And did not stir up all His wrath;
39 For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again.

The Israelites were witnesses to some great works of God. He parted the red sea, made water come from a rock, gave them food to eat, led them with a cloud by day and a fire by night, and yet they still sinned against Him and did not believe in his wondrous works. It says "When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God. Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer." God had to remind them that He was their God and when He put them in a tough situation, they began to seek Him again. They remembered that God was their rock and their redeemer. I hear people complain all the time about how things in their life are bringing them down and their having a rough time, but maybe God is just trying to get them to seek Him. Every time that I fell out of Church my life fell apart. This last time, I'm pretty sure I was close to rock bottom. I got back into church and started seeking God again and things started getting better, not necessarily in the sense that all my problems just disappeared but the fact that I wasn't trying to do it on my own, that I had Him there with me every step of the way. Being a Christian isn't always easy, you can ask anyone that professes Jesus Christ as their savior and they'll tell you that. We are actually told in the Bible to expect suffering. But God has a plan, and if we earnestly seek Him it will all work out for the good. And when we mess up, because it will happen, we all fall short, God is compassionate, He sent His Son to die for us, so that if we would accept Him, our sins would be washed away. So that we could stand in the presence of God, blameless and holy, so that we can have a relationship with Him. I don't like comparing myself to the Israelites, but I, like them have been like the wind, and gone in every direction except the one God has wanted for me, and I have complained along the way. I know a lot of us can say that, but isn't it so much better to seek after God and give Him control over your life, instead of having to hit rock bottom before asking Him to help you back up? I'm not saying that every time we go through a rough patch that its because we're not seeking God, because everyone goes through hard times in their lives, I'm only saying that its for a reason. We may not know the reason or understand at the time why we are suffering but God knows the plans He has for us, plans for a hope and a future.

-JB
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