Recently, as I wrote in this blog – jesusontheroad.com/not-to-worry, our home was in the path of Cyclone Alfred. When we meet people, they often ask how we were affected by the cyclone. The weather seems to have a major effect on us. We seem to take the weather with us wherever we go.
Here in Tasmania, we’ve been surprised by the sudden and frequent weather changes. On the day I wrote this, for example, because it was cold, we needed to turn on the gas heater in the caravan before we got out of bed. When we went out for our morning activities, I was wearing my beanie (woollen hat) and mitts. We stopped beside the Huon River to take photos of boats in the calm, still water. By the time we arrived at Willie Smiths Apple Shed the beanie and mitts were off. We looked around the museum and had a delicious morning tea including the famous apple pie. Afterwards, we walked around in the sunshine, and took our jumpers off.
We came back to the van for lunch. While we were eating, we heard claps of thunder, and there were some spits of rain. We drove to Franklin to visit the Wooden Boat Centre. John, our very knowledgeable volunteer, showed us where shipwrights and apprentices were repairing and building wooden boats. Very interesting, and well worth a visit. Suddenly the rain came down heavily, and we needed an umbrella to get to the car!
Apparently, there is a saying, “If you don’t like the weather in Tasmania, come back in five minutes!”
It’s interesting how the weather affects how we feel. It’s difficult to enjoy outdoor sightseeing when it’s cold and windy, or when it’s too hot, or wet and rainy. We always seem to take the weather with us.
In 1992, Crowded House wrote a song, Weather With You. “The chorus line simply means that ‘everywhere [they] go’, their surroundings will feel different depending on their emotional state. They can go wherever they like, but they can’t run from their feelings.” https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/what-does-always-take-the-weather-with-you-mean/
Unlike our moods and feelings, which can be as fickle as the weather, God says that He is unchanging.
I, the Lord, do not change.
Malachi 3:6a
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
Psalm 102:47
All people are like grass … The grass withers and the flowers fall … but the word of our God endures forever.
Isaiah 40: 6b-8
We can trust God to keep his promises and to mean what he says. Unlike the rest of us, God is not going to get moody or go back on his word. He is not going to lose his temper, or change his mind about his unchanging love for us.
What does that mean for us?
God doesn’t promise always blue skies, sunny weather and smooth sailing. But he does promise to be with us in the storms of life.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)
Wow! I had to read that verse from Psalm 46 again. God is talking about earthquakes and violent storms. Even in such bad weather and natural disasters, God promises to be our refuge and strength.
What weather are you taking with you?
Perhaps you are facing bad weather and wild storms in your life right now. Maybe there’s not a disaster, but a general malaise, or a feeling that everything is not quite right. Perhaps you are grieving a loss, or a hope not realised. Perhaps you feel lonely or abandoned.
God wants you to take hope in Him. He promises to uphold you, and to be with you, no matter what the situation, or the weather.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Prayer
Dear God, I am often affected by the weather and circumstances around me. When things are going well, I tend to forget you. When things are bad, I demand that you fix it to my liking. Please forgive me. Thank you for your promises to be with me always, no matter what. Help me to call out to you for help in all weather. Help me to praise you in good and bad weather, knowing that you are in control, and that your plans for me are always for your glory and my good.
Post Script
To add to our interesting weather experience, last night there was a bushwalkers weather alert for snow in the Western and Central Plateau forecast districts of Tasmania! No snow here, but it was very cold this morning.