TURN AROUND

I was the one they chose. I would be their hero! The sweet shop was three blocks away and our morning coffee was crying out for the companionship of some doughnuts. Since it was freezing outside and the only sweater in the office belonged to me, I was chosen for the mission.

I stepped out the door and caught my breath. It was one of those frosty days when the sun rays carried no heat and the wind instantly chilled you to the bone. With teeth clenched, I bravely bowed my head and faced into the storm. Oh, it was miserable! A huddled figure overtook me and fairly ran towards a sheltered doorway. I wasn’t the only one feeling the brutal cold.

One block, two blocks, three and I were there, pushing hard against the bakery door to open it quicker. Oh, the relief to be out of the cold and into a warm place. The line was long, but waiting was fine, I wasn’t in any hurry to make the return trip.

Finally, order complete and paid for, I took a deep breath and pausing to soak in one more layer of warmth, I pulled open the door and cautiously stepped out to go back the way I had come. To my shock, the wind seemed gone. The sun shown on my face and I felt warmth. My sweater gaped open; I didn’t close it. Had the weather changed?

No, the people coming toward me had their heads down and clothes clutched tightly about their bodies. They were just as frozen as I had been. How strange!

Here we were, passing each other on the very same sidewalk -in the very same moment of time. Yet, I was warm and comfortable and they were shuddering with cold. Then I realized I wasn’t fighting the wind. I was going the opposite direction and the wind was now at my back. I was traveling with the storm, not against it.

This was a picture of another journey I had taken. My journey of faith. Before I was a Christian, I faced life’s storms alone. Bitter cold winds of confusion and hopelessness had swirled about me as I walked away from Christ, dressed in my flimsy sweater of disbelief and self-preservation.

Then one day I turned around and walked towards the Cross where Jesus died for my sins. I repented and accepted His free gift of forgiveness. I am still on the same path of life with everyone else and the storms continue to rage about us; but now I walk facing the Son. The confusion and hopelessness are gone. I keep my eyes on Him and seek His will, for He has the power to calm the storms and turn the wind. He is with me always, for He promises to never leave me nor forsake me and I am warm, for I am wrapped in His love and care and His assurance of eternal life.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 NIV