"You will find courage in the hour of calamity if you have disciplined your spirit to rest always in the Lord and to praise continually regardless of your circumstances. Any lesser plane of thinking is not only disquieting to the soul but will also open the door to a host of sins. Anger, resentment, petulance, bitterness- none of which can live in an atmosphere of praise- will thrive if the eyes of the soul are diverted to the natural situation and are not fixed on Christ. He deliberately rewards them that adore Him with mercies denied the self-concerned. Relinquishment of burdens and fears begins where adoration and worship of God becomes the occupation of the soul."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
-On The High Road Of Surrender-
Frances J. Roberts
As I gaze upon the looming storm in the nearing path of this dandelion, I am stilled by its speech.
Undeniably approaching is something so intense that nothing of such simplicity could stand a midst it. This weed, called a dandelion, leans into pressing forces with a preparedness to deliver what it was born to release.
Standing confidently, it reaches into the very story itself. Reaching not out of fear towards safety, but out of courage, calm, and praise. Within these seeds, there is something yet to be said. Somewhere yet to go. Someone yet to teach.
In the early days of the dandelion, it is nothing more than a weed. But in it's later days, it becomes a breathless beauty where our very breath is what releases it's very purpose. The very winds, release it into all it's meant for. To bring forth something, more. Winds from the south, where the warmth of the sun and heat release the seeds. Winds from the north, where the very intent of such winds is to bring destruction. Still, the seeds do not distinguish from such winds. Their very purpose is unfolded despite what winds blow them forth.
While reading in, "Song of Songs," by Watchman Nee, I read about the north and south winds.
"If there is a fragrance inside, outward circumstances, whether the north wind or the south wind, will only serve to bring out the smell of the fragrance. She no longer lives according to her environment. She can now live in any kind of circumstances. She knows that as long as she is filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, she can happily live in any environment. ....The north wind and the south wind are two different environments that the Holy Spirit uses to train believers. She has given herself to the training of the Holy Spirit. Although the south wind is pleasant and the north wind is fierce, a person who lives in heaven does not feel the difference. He knows that his circumstances only serve to manifest the grace of the Holy Spirit."
My life has been full of many winds. Mostly, north winds. And for most of those winds, I have wondered, why? Why all these brutal, breaking, biting and bitter winds? Will the south winds ever arrive with any intent to, stay? As I read these words by Watchman Nee, I was so encouraged. I was so encouraged because for the first time in my life, I began to feel privileged to have such winds come my way. Often. Because for the first time in my life, I have realized the gift they have been. They have led me to, intimacy with my Beloved. They have produced in me the kind of seeds that can only be produced from enduring such winds.
Courage.
Calm.
Rest.
Praise.
All midst the crucible of clamoring winds.
And, I can only hope that they have forged a fragrance of the very heaven's themselves. A fragrance of fruits and spices that only calamity can converge together.
The north winds facing us now, are the winds of facing foreclosure and bankruptcy. With no idea of where the money will come from to afford a new home. While all the details of such winds, rip against the branches of our life.
Though tonight came the call of such a looming storm facing us ferociously, fiercely, and with finality that forges our character, here we are.
We are sitting in circumstances; who as Nee states,
"only serve to manifest the grace of the Holy Spirit."
And so how will we sit? How are we sitting?
With courage midst calamity.
In rest before the Lord.
In praise continually regardless of our circumstances.
"For any lesser plane of thinking is not only disquieting to the soul but will also open the door to a host of sins."
In one last quiet reflection of the dandelion...
I will bend into the north winds. I will allow the winds to release the fragrance of His Holy work within me. I will allow all the seeds of those winds to freely, in abandoned freedom find their way into the lives of those whom He chooses to grace my life with. I will bend with submitted anticipation to His glorious revealing plan, through whatever winds come. I will reach with readiness into the realms of roaring lions, raging rivers, rugged terrains that would otherwise move to wreak havoc upon my life,.... with a resting in His presence. A posture of praise, through the tears that will surely fall. Waiting in the strength that comes, in worship of a God who not only knows the winds coming before they arrive, but has seen the glory of His power and purpose in them, long in advance.
I am reminded of how we love to capture the face of a child, blowing the seeds of a dandelion into the warmth of a summer's south wind. I too - must choose to stand with the simple faith of a child holding a dandelion in my hands, blowing each one's seed, into the wind's. So that in doing so, I might remind myself it is this stance, that one is able to lean into the north winds.
With the faith of, a child.
Knowing such seeds once again will grow another dandelion. Midst many winds yet to come. For that, is their occupation. For they have something to say, somewhere to go, and someone to teach.
And that someone, is me.
As well as, you.
