It's The Wind That Moves The Trees

Golden waves rippled over the surface of the winter wheat. It shimmered as it danced in the sunlight. Loose twigs and timid sticks were forced to the ground as the steady winds pushed and shoved at the trees. And nearby, the sweet rhythmic song of the wind chime provided the theme song for the show.

This scene played out before me on that beautiful, blustery day. And in the midst of the swirling air, surrounded by the melodious chimes and swaying trees, I was more than just a spectator. For as the wind blew, the warmth of it didn't just affect the things around me and leave me untouched. The breeze caressed my face. The gale grazed my skin. The gust stroked my hair.

We often like to think that we can be the ones to move God. We stubbornly believe that by our much-speaking or deep wanting, we can force God to move in a way that fits our will. But, the Lord is continually teaching me the truth in this quote from Michael Slaughter: "It is not the trees that move the wind, but the wind that moves the trees."

We may pray: "…your kingdom come, your will be done" (Matthew 6:10) but we usually mean something quite different than what was originally intended. We usually mean something like: "I don't know a lot about your kingdom, God. And when I say 'your will be done', I'm really hoping it's the same as mine..." We, as the trees, like to think that we can move the wind.

But, Jesus has given us an example to follow. And in the midst of a blowing gale, in a hurricane of grief and dread, He demonstrated what it looks like for the trees to yield to the wind. "Then He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 'Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.' " (Luke 22:41-42)

The One who created both the wind and the trees knew that He had to submit to the Father's will. Even when it was going to hurt… Even when the road was riddled with fallen limbs… Even when the wind of God's will was blowing Him straight to a tree shaped like a cross…

We would do well to let the wind of God's Spirit blow through our wills. The sooner we understand that it is God who moves us- and not the other way around- the sooner we can do great things for Him. Let's feel His soft breath on our faces and the touch of His breeze in our hair. Then, let's dance and sway to his will like the winter wheat to the wind.