THE BLOWING WINDS

From My Perspective - - -

The basic definition and idea for Wind is: “Air in natural motion, as that moving horizontally at any velocity along the earth’s surface.” It is the intensity and velocity of the wind that differentiates between a refreshing breeze or a threatening and destructive storm. In recent years, most have become aware of an atmospheric phenomenon known as Wind Shear. Wind Shear refers to a change in wind speed or direction with height in the atmosphere. Aircraft can be subjected to Wind Shear that will drastically affect the altitude at which the plane was travelling. It will cause turbulence that at times feels like being on a bumpy road. Wind Shear also impacts weather patterns and contributes to both tornadoes and hail being experienced on land.

In a broader application of winds, we have a figurative statement used of people who see “which way the wind is blowing” before they choose to make a comment or commit to a direction or action. These are people who may act more out of convenience than conscience. The idea is to see what personal benefit one can gain in going in one direction or another. If they have convictions, they are most likely to compromise in order to achieve the most favorable position or personal gain. In the process, they allow themselves to become those absent the courage of conviction while displaying a readiness to be a “player”, namely, “to go along in order to get along.” This is common in politics, business and religious circles. It is interesting to observe how readily compromise surfaces when or if one’s vested interest is involved.

Historically, those who reference The Greatest Generation have events and efforts around and during World War II in mind. The only world leader of that time to chronicle a History of those events and efforts was Sir Winston Churchill. The first volume of his History is entitled, The Gathering Storm. A review of this tome states: “The first half looks at the road to war, beginning in 1919 with the peace settlement and then moving on to examine the rise of Hitler and his pre-war career. The second half of the book covers the invasion of Poland, Churchill's time at the Admiralty, the Phony War, Norway and finishes with the fall of the Chamberlain government and Churchill's own appointment as Prime Minister…” The point of his writing was to indicate the obvious signs of the impending storm and the choices some made to ignore the blowing winds of that day. The Introduction to this Volume states: “We may now return to our question: Was World War II The UnnecessaryWar? And the answer is obvious: yes, it was unnecessary or avoidable, if steadypurpose and reasonable common sense and prudence had prevailed in Great Britain and with her allies. But these were precisely the qualities that were lacking amongst the Allies, and not least of all in Great Britain, as Churchill’s narrative convincingly shows us.And so the war became unavoidable or necessary, in the sense of being result of the pattern of unfolding historical events…”

It is not unlike The Gathering Storm of our own day. The Culture has been allowed to operate unchecked and the trends are leading the nation and world away from foundational principles and core values that are based upon Biblical Standards. How much longer will The Blowing Winds and The Gathering Storm be ignored? There will be a day approaching when we and the world will realize Jeremiah 10:10-13, “…the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. Tell them this: These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.” While Jesus interacted with Nicodemus regarding the necessity of being born again, He stated in John 3:8 – “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” In the Hymn – O Breath of Life – the second stanza is: “O Wind of God, come bend us, break us, Till humbly we confess our need; Then in Thy tenderness remake us, Revive, restore, for this we plead.” Let these words be included in your prayers and practice.  Consider these things with me.