When God Draws Near in the Wind

I pulled my jacket closer to my chin. The fall air felt crisp, even though the sun shone faithfully in the eastern sky. I rounded the curve by the massive sugar maple, its glorious shades of crimson now transitioning to brown—broken pieces of former glory.

when God draws nearWhile pondering the tree’s recent beauty, I heard a crackling sound at my feet. A multitude of brown, brittle leaves hurried across the road in front of me, ushered by a brisk wind, the crackling pronounced.

I Recognized God’s Presence

The image stopped me as God’s Holy Spirit tapped on my heart.

I stood still while the burnished cinnamon-colored leaves paraded in front of me, a mere shadow of their former beauty. Now they crumbled in the wind and rustled with crackling sounds as they rushed across the road.

when God draws nearIntuitively, I thought of broken areas in my life and in the lives of those I love. Broken pieces of lives well lived. Each of us has a story. But, as Christians, each of us also has a Redeemer who rewrites our story.

As I stood there watching the leaves and considering the wind that scattered them over to the distant field, I was reminded of the Lord’s Presence. His breath is like a mighty wind. He walks on the wings of the wind, and the clouds are but the dust of His feet…when God draws near.

Like the brisk wind blowing the dying, crumbling leaves across my path, the Spirit of God is breathing anew on His people, removing and healing the broken places from our lives for His glory…for such a time as this.

The breath of His Spirit is ushering the brittle, dead pieces away, and like a mighty rushing wind, the Lord our God is pouring out His Spirit on His people like never before.

“Do not yield to fear, for I am always near.
Never turn your gaze from Me, for I am your faithful God.
I will infuse you with My strength
and help you in every situation.
I will hold you firmly with My victorious right hand.’” ~ Isaiah 41:10, TPT

As the fires of trial seem to magnify in this hour, God is with us. When God draws near, we find peace. Our despair transforms into hope, and our weaknesses become infused with His strength.

God Draws Near in our Difficult Place

He is for us and not against us! As a people, we must focus our eyes on the Lord and His faithfulness and remember that His love never fails.

Walk by faith and not by sight.

His Name is Immanuel. God with us.

Selah

Nan Jones

Nan Jones is an author/speaker who uses the words of her heart to assist fellow Christians in discovering the Presence of God in their darkest hour. She has been published in several anthologies as well as the online inspirational sites Christian Devotions, and Inspire a Fire where she is a monthly contributor. She is also a monthly contributor to PW Connections, a blog and forum to encourage pastors' wives. Nan has had the honor of being featured as a guest blogger on several sites. She is thrilled to announce her debut book, The Perils of a Pastor's Wife released June 30, 2015 by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. This memoir was a 2016 Selah finalist. When Nan isn't writing, she enjoys leading prayer retreats, bible studies or sharing God’s love as keynote speaker for special events. She is becoming known by her brand: "Even so, I walk in the Presence of the Lord" as she teaches her audience to go beyond the veil to find God's Presence. You may visit Nan at her website: www.NanJones.com. Nan has also created a facebook community page, Seeing Beyond The Veil, to provide a place for folks to go and get away from the chaos for a few moments and focus on Jesus through scripture, worship, testimony, and inspirational quotes. For personal communication you may email Nan at nan@nanjones.com The Perils of a Pastor's Wife is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and LPC Bookstore

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