Faithfulness: WHEN THE WIND BLOWS

OBSERVATION "Do your duty and leave the rest to heaven" -- Pierre Corneille, a Seventeenth Century French playwright. WHEN THE WIND BLOWS A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The young man slept soundly. The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well. The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, "I can sleep when the wind blows." Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace. HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO OUR LIVES? The story about the young farmhand illustrates a principle that is often overlooked about being prepared for various events that occur in life. There was nothing dramatic or sensational in the young farmhand's preparations -- he just faithfully did what was needed each day. Consequently, peace was his, even in a storm. A short poem expresses this principle as it pertains to your life. It isn't the things you do, It's the things you leave undone, Which gives you a bit of heartache, At the setting of the sun. What are you leaving undone? For example, you are responsible for doing and saying things that foster positive relationships with relatives, friends and co-workers. Are you doing what is necessary to cultivate solid relationships with others that can withstand "storms" and other events that arise? And what your spiritual life? You have a need for fellowship with God. You can't help it -- it's just the way you are. You can stay busy, try to achieve great things and ignore that need all you want, but it still exists. Why not take care of it now, and avoid heartache at the setting of the sun? God sent Jesus to earth for that purpose. If you are a Christian, you have a responsibility each day to look to Jesus and rely upon him. If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, look for the message at the end of this devotional for information on how you can enter into a personal relationship with him. In short, we all need to remember the source of real peace. In \reference{John 16:33}{John 16:33} Jesus said that we will have trouble in this world, but "in me you may have peace." Are you claiming the genuine peace Jesus came to provide? Begin living each day by the adage, "do your duty, and leave the rest to heaven." If you do, a river of peace will flow continuously into your life. Yes, peace can be yours -- even when the wind blows. "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river." \reference{Isaiah 48:18}{Isaiah 48:18}