Strange Winds

It was partly cloudy, winds reported at 12 to 15; perfect sailing.

I pulled her off the sand and into the water, pointed up wind and raised the sail. After dropping dagger board and rudder, I let the bow drift until the luffing sail billowed and filled.

We were off.

The north wind heeled the little craft. With rudder in one hand and mainsheet in the other, I hooked my foot in the toehold, leaned back over the water and smiled as sunshine and water splashed everywhere. We sliced through the lake, leaving a churning, curling, wake. The wind increased, we picked up speed, I leaned back further to counterbalance the weight of the wind against the sail…

That’s how it always goes, the amazing art of sailing. No odors or roars from big, noisy, stinky, gas-hogs; just peaceful sights and sounds of sails, sky and water. There’s something about sailing that puts it all in perspective.

Trusting the Invisible to carry you across troubled waters, makes it easy to believe that all things are possible.

We were really cruising, just skipping across the water.

I leaned one way the boat leaned the other, the boom and clew (bottom corner of the sail) played patty-cake with the lake. 

Whoever said you can’t grasp the wind, never strained to rein in a sail.     

WHOOSH, just like that, all went quiet. The sail went flat. The boat lunged from starboard to port; nearly baptizing me backwards into the water. I clambered toward center to steady the vessel.

“What are you doing?” I said right out loud to the wind. It didn’t respond.

We sat, becalmed, as if in the eye of a storm. I studied the water for evidence of wind, but it was gone.

So, you can grasp the wind? Grasp it now. Rein in your sail and go.

When the wind gets knocked out of my sail, the best thing to do, is bow my head. I suppose it was something like this that day when Someone spoke, “Peace be still” and suddenly there was a great calm, as the wind and waves obeyed Him.

Lord, Creator, Master of the wind, and me; without You, I can do nothing, it’s only in You, I live and move and have my being.  

Sailing with God, positions us at the helm, to stay His course, while He provides the fuel and engine.

Then, all at once, as suddenly as it left, it came. The sail filled, the boat heeled and I scrambled into position again.

I read the waves as we slid through the water. They were troubled, churning, choppy and dark, evidencing the presence of wind. But then, in patches instead of troubled, choppy and dark, the surface was smooth, shiny and light, evidencing lack of wind, calm. Not so different, than you and me. Every wave different, some troubled, some at peace, but underneath, all the same water, all the same Source. 

Since a kid, I’ve ridden the waves, but on this day, everything was different. As we skimmed along, I scanned the surface for footprints of the wind and braced myself, prepared for sudden change.  

I can’t help but think, like this strange wind, everything has changed. Remember when only outlaws wore masks into a business…now only outlaws don’t. Once we all stood for the National Anthem, now a person who does, is different. The winds of change have blown circles around the world and our nation.

The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. (Ecclesiastes 1:6)

Lord God Almighty who changes not, help us to be ever watchful, alert and pre-prayered.

It was all at once, exhilarating and a little bit scary. The wind and I wrestled back and forth across the bay. It turned and churned, switched and swirled as if trying to flip me into the abyss. The way the little craft swayed and bucked reminded me of my rodeo days…when I was young and dumb and wild as the wind.

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

Holy Spirit, help us to accept Your invitation be born of You and change the trajectory of our headlong race toward hell.

A thousand or so miles east of here another wind swirled and spun and raged, it was named Hurricane Isaias. It had around 100 mph winds (a bit more than I’d be willing to sail in) but up about 2,000 feet reconnaissance aircraft recorded 140 mph winds due to its interaction with the upper level trough; which can trigger the pulling down of very strong winds.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Almighty God, we need Your protection. Will You open our eyes to see the spiritual battle; grant us wisdom and courage to fight the Good fight.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

 My friend, Dave, understands the battle and sent this text:

“Are you aware that Isaias is the Spanish spelling for Esaias which is the Greek spelling for Isaiah? Maybe we should refresh ourselves with the prophecies of Isaiah to see if there is a warning for the present times”

Eternal Lord, You dwell outside of time; You knew Isaias would be the name of a hurricane at such a time as this. Is there anything You’d like to tell us?

The book of Isaias is the first of the Latter Prophets in the Bible. Written 700 years before Christ, yet spoke with articulate accuracy about His life. Isaias is quoted more than any other by Jesus and the New Testament.

Every Christmas we’re reminded of the prophecy of Jesus virgin birth spoken by Isaias:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel; meaning God with us. (Isaias 7:14; Matthew 1:2-3) 

Jesus read from Isaias when He publicly announced His ministry:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down.

And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.  And He began to say to them,

“Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

(Luke 4:17-21; Isaias 61)

We probably never noticed Isaias 26:20 until it was made famous because of its parallel to the coronavirus quarantine.

BUT CONTEXT is king and with the grace and poise and perfect harmony that only the Bible can give, the very next verse reveals what everything is pointing to: 

The King is coming out of heaven to pour His wrath on the inhabitants of earth for sin; their bloodshed will be exposed.

Go home, my people,

    and lock your doors!

Hide yourselves for a little while

    until the Lord’s anger has passed.

 Look! The Lord is coming from heaven

    to punish the people of the earth for their sins.

The earth will no longer hide those who have been killed.

    They will be brought out for all to see.

(Isaiah26:20-21 NLT)

 

Did you know, Isaias, means: "Yahweh is salvation,"

Omnipresent Lord, help us to hear You. We invite Your Presence to blow across our hearts, Your nation Your world, removing chaff and saving the savable.

Come quickly Lord Jesus.