The importance of being wind-blown instead of storm-tossed

Many years ago, my wife and I made the conscious decision to be wind-blown. We ask the Lord to direct our lives in real and practical ways. It has been a wonderful time of blessings and growth for us. Sometimes it has meant hardship. Sharing in suffering. Midnight trips to hospitals. Long drives to distant cities. Lifting up the broken. Awkward prayers in uncomfortable situations. Sometimes it has meant rejoicing in victory. Celebrating restoration. Laughing with joy. Hugging a friend. Sharing praise reports.

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.  So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. ” (John 3:8 NKJV)

The importance of being wind-blown

I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn’t return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater;  so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I sent it to do.  For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to Yahweh for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:9-13 WEB)

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:36-38 WEB)

Sometimes, this has put us in weird uncomfortable awkward situations. Like Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army, who was required to accompany his king into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and lean on his arm (read the account in 2 Kings 5). In those times, we pray to be preserved by the God who walks on water (read the account in Mark 6:45-56).

The danger of being storm-tossed

We constantly pray not to be storm-tossed. Not to be cast aside by trials. Not to be shipwrecked by a bad conscience. Not to follow the path of desire. Not to follow the path of ease. We desire to be grounded in the word of God, like the Noble Bereans, who were eager to hear the word and check it up with scripture. Then you can allow God to send you where he wants as wind-blown servants.

that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; (Ephesians 4:14 WEB)

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 WEB)

These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever. For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error; promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him. (2 Peter 2:17-19 WEB)

Run your race to win

We have found it is important to have regular consistent fellowship with people who make it a priority to make church their spiritual home and keep God and his word at the center of their lives. It is easier to be wind-blown when people around you are wind-blown. Please read 20 Things Godly Christians Do Every Day

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3 KJV)

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8:20 KJV)

Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win. Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air, but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 WEB)

It is just as important to stay away from toxic people who discourage you and drag you back into your sin life. You can’t be wind-blown if you are weighed down with cares and burdens of this life.

Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” Wake up righteously, and don’t sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:33-34 WEB)
This is slightly out of context, but the principle is sound. (cf. Proverbs 9:6; Ephesians 5:6; 2 Timothy 2:16-18; 2 Peter 2:18-20; Galatians 6:7; Hebrews 12:15; Matthew 24:24; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 5:6; Proverbs 13:20; Matthew 24:4)

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20)