Wednesday: Let the North Wind Warm You
WEEK 48
WEDNESDAY
LET THE NORTH WIND WARM YOU
Romans 8:35-39
We are considering how to get through everything that happens by using everything that happens. We have seen the marvelous spirit of “Mary” and her triumphant way of meeting everything. We were standing at an airport, the north wind cold, and Mary remarked in her cheerful way, “Lean up against the north wind and let it warm you.” That is exactly what she does, leans up against every biting adversity and makes it warm her inner spirit. She confesses her failures and sins and has people weeping over theirs; she makes the north wind warm her.
Some Indian women are physically the straightest and most erect women of the world. Why? They bear burdens on their heads, so they have to walk erect; the burdens become a blessing. The north wind warms them.
The Japanese I have encountered are the rosiest-cheeked people of the world; the babies’ cheeks fairly glow with rosiness. Why? Well, there is little heat in their houses, so they have to become inured to the cold. Their cheeks are rosy as a result, the north wind warms them.
Again I have found the Japanese to be a strong-limbed people. Why? Well, in wearing clogs, which stand three or four inches off the ground, they seem to fall forward at every step. But that tipping forward tightens the muscles of their legs and makes them sturdy-limbed. The strain and clumsiness of their walking make for strong tendons and muscles; the north wind warms them.
The arrow is used around the world to guide people to the right path. Japan uses it, but with one barb instead of two. Everywhere, what was originally used for destruction in war is now used to guide the uncertain to their destination. The arrow has been converted from destruction to construction. We are now making the north wind warm us. I am writing this in Japan, and the farmers are busy pruning the fruit trees. It leaves the trees naked and bare. But this north wind of apparent cruelty will warm them into summer fruitfulness. Everything serves those who serve Christ.
O Lord, I thank you that if I know how to set my sails, all winds, including adverse winds, drive me to my goal. I belong to the incorrigibly victorious. I thank you. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I can rescue out of every fell circumstance and happening a victory and a strengthening.