COLUMN: Predicting the weather

What is it about the weather that so fascinates us? We talk about it, we watch the reports on TV, you probably even have a favorite weather reporter. And then we have The Weather Channel. Who would have dreamed that a channel devoted only to the weather could be so successful?
 And let’s face it, the weather around here changes a lot. When I first moved to Kentucky someone said, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a little while, it’ll change.” And it does, just recently about 30 degrees in a day. And, those weather forecasters don’t always come even close. It seems like the worst storms come suddenly out of nowhere and the biggest snowfalls come when they predict less than an inch.
It seems that we study the weather so that we can have at least some picture of the future. We want predictability. We want to know if we can plan a picnic or work in the garden, whether we need to carry a raincoat or wear a sweater.
The truth is we can never really predict tomorrow. Jesus tells about a rich man who hoarded his wealth, planning to enjoy his future, yet his life was cut short (Luke 12:16-21). We want predictability, but we can never really have it. Jesus also tells us, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8 NIV).
We want to understand the world, the weather, the future, but we never really do. We want certainty for tomorrow, but that is never really possible — except for one thing. We can be certain in Christ.
The winds of change may blow, but Jesus will always be there. Though we do not always know when they will come, we will experience great victories and great defeats. We will experience great joy and great sorrow. And in victory or defeat, sorrow or joy, Jesus will be there with us.
And best of all, we can know our ultimate destiny. Our tomorrows may be filled with ups and downs like the changing of the weather, but in Christ we hold a certain future. When we trust Christ, put our faith in him, accept the gift of his sacrifice for us, then destiny is secure. The winds may blow and the rain may fall, but we are safe in him. He will see us home. Put your trust in him and know that your tomorrows are safe in his hands.