Entry #36 - Horizontal Movement of Air

As I write this blog, I am listening to the howl of wind pounding against the house. Most of you know that I live in New Mexico, but you might be unaware of just how affected by wind our state is on a daily basis. According to statistics compiled by Albuquerque¹ and Las Cruces²  our windy months begin in February and end about June, with some exceptionally windy days interspersed throughout the year. During these months, daily wind velocities average between 27-35 mph (Albuquerque) and 32-49 mph (Las Cruces). Currently in my home city, the wind is blowing at 37 mph, with forecasts calling for “calmer” winds at 28 mph by 2 p.m., and 15 mph by 5 p.m. Oh joy!

The first generally accepted definition for wind is “horizontal movement of air,” hence the title for this blog. However, there are many other definitions and uses for the word. Another use for the word wind is to describe something that is a destructive force or influence. This definition, combined with the fact that wind typically travels from a high-pressure area to a lower pressure area, becomes the foundational thought for this blog.

In Paul’s letter to the Christians at Ephesus, his prayer is for them to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit and that they might demonstrate Christ’s love to others. He urges them to be humble, gentle, and peaceful. He further encourages them to be diligent in using their gifts to minister, teach, and serve others in the unity as the body of Christ, who is head of the church of God’s people. This can be found detailed in Ephesians chapters 3 and 4. Contained within Paul’s message of encouragement to the Ephesians, he includes the reason for his exhortation—earnest advice.

Ephesians 4:12-14 (NIV)  …so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

The analogy of being “blown here and there by every wind” of teaching holds amazingly vivid pictures for me, especially as the New Mexico winds howl outside. But there is another thought developing in the back of my mind. Science tells us that wind naturally follows the path from greatest pressure to least pressure. To me, this indicates the need for developing faithful Bible study habits. If my basic biblical knowledge remains shallow or surface level; how much easier “the cunning and craftiness” and “deceitful scheming” of others can blow me away from the truth. Thankfully the converse is also true. If I faithfully study God’s Word, prayerfully asking the Holy Spirit to guide my understanding, then my basic biblical knowledge becomes the higher pressure and less likely to be affected by “every wind of teaching” that comes down the path.

Ultimately the responsibility is on my own shoulders. How secure do I want to be? How anchored do I want my faith in Christ to be? As with most good things, it will require effort on my part. Listening to sermons, reading the writings of Christian authors—even this blog—all of that is great. But if I really want to be anchored in the truth of God’s Word, I will take the time to read the Bible for myself, and I will spend time in prayer asking the Spirit of God to guide me in my understanding. If I truly desire to stand firm in my faith, I will not simply take the word of others; rather, I will do my best to search the scriptures for verification. Only then will I be able to stand firm when the winds blow against the truth.

If you are uncertain where to begin, take some time to examine the following scriptures. These are only a few of many passages that will encourage you to begin building your foundation in God’s Word.

Psalm 119:11, 16, 17, 27, and 105 (NIV)
(v. 11) I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  (v. 16) I will not neglect your word.
(v. 17) I will obey your word.
(v.27) Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.  (v. 105) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
 Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)  For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
 Romans 15:4 (NIV)  For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
 Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)  And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ…
 Colossians 2:8 (NIV)  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
 1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)  Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
 2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NIV)  For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations…
 Hebrews 13:8-9 (NIV)  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.
 James 1:5-6 (NIV)  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Not all winds are bad or produce a negative effect.  There is one day, the day of Blessed Hope, for which I am longing to see the most significant wind of all. With this promise, I close today’s blog:

Matthew 24:30-31 (NIV)  They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Mark 13:26-27 (NIV)  At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian—looking forward to the Blessed Hope of Christ’s return!

¹ https://www.windfinder.com/windstatistics/Albuquerque_sunport

² http://www.lascruces-weather.com/wxwindsummary.php