Trusting God's Divine Providence
Perfect is a word I would use to describe the weather yesterday. As I walked between buildings at work, the sun shone on my face and spread warmth all over me, casting a golden glow on everything it touched. A temperature in the mid-60s meant I enjoyed my walk outside without sweating. A gentle breeze rustled peacefully through the leaves above me, and my hair blew back. The tall prairie grasses in the flower beds swayed in a rhythmic dance. I work near an airport, and I watched the planes lift into the wind to destinations unknown and a tranquility wrapped me in the crispness of a fall morning.
Last week offered a very different scene here in Oklahoma. Fierce storms blew in with 70 MPH winds, causing trees to fall and lay across streets instead of gently swaying in the breeze. Power poles snapped in half and plunged homes into darkness. Because of these menacing skies, everyone stayed indoors unless it was necessary to venture out. The prairie grasses looked beat down while the planes raced into the heavens to escape the effects of the winds. A cold darkness filled the city with unpleasantness.
God’s Providence:
Throughout the Bible, we see God’s providence displayed in the winds; from the gentle breezes that blew through the Garden of Eden to the squalls that caused raging storms on the Red Sea. The light gusts calmed Adam and Eve, while the tempest caused Jesus’ followers to tremble in fear. I love how God’s providence became visible in His use of the winds. He can stir up the winds, or He can calm them, and Jesus does the same with the storms in our lives. When chaos blows all around us, God can calm the storm or when things are peaceful, He can stir up the winds to move us to action.
The Winds of Providence:
The breeze of today reminded me of God’s nature of gentleness and grace while the winds from last week communicated God’s power and might. God uses both gentleness and strength to guide us in the way He wants us to go. These symbols are a reminder of God’s caring provision for us on our journey of faith. Everything happens for a reason, and He is with us no matter what kind of wind is blowing.
Question for Reflection:
1. Seeing God in nature is one way to witness God's providence in all its perfection. In what ways do you see God's providence in your daily life?
2. If you feel like you have trouble seeing God's providence, ask Him to reveal His majesty to you in a special way.
