Headwinds

 

One afternoon while my husband was working on post-hurricane repairs at our vacation home, I decided to walk the beach. The outside temperature was 72 degrees; sunlight was reflected in gleaming silvery streaks moving with the rolling waves; and a few lacy clouds dotted the ombre sky, resplendent in tones ranging from aqua to robin’s egg to royal blue, and even a hint of cobalt.

The local air force brigade, as we affectionately refer to the native pelicans, passed overhead in precise military formation. An auspicious beginning to my afternoon stroll, or so I thought. On our morning walk, my husband and I had set out toward the nature preserve in search of shells and fossils, so I decided to walk the opposite direction along the shore to see what treasures I might find there.

But as soon as I began walking down the beach, the idyllic experience became an unexpected challenge. I was attempting to walk straight into the wind, hanging onto my hat to prevent losing it in the surf. The wind rushing into my face took my breath away. The ground stretching out before me was reminiscent of photos of the Sahara Desert, as the air currents had shaped the sand into furrows, and streams of sand hovered a few inches over the surface, perpendicular to the uncharacteristically hilly terrain. Thankfully, I was wearing long pants and sneakers, or the streams of sand propelled by the wind would have blasted my ankles!

When the hope of gathering a few beach treasures and of reaching my daily goal of 10,000 steps no longer outweighed enduring this struggle, I turned around to go home. As soon as I changed direction, my circumstances also changed! No longer facing the headwinds, I now had a light breeze at my back, propelling me gently down the beach. My hat remained serenely on my head, its brim no longer trying to bear me aloft as if I were the Flying Nun in that old television show. The sand was no longer attacking me but was instead inviting me to sift through it in search of cockle shells and shark’s teeth.

After a short, pleasant jaunt in the warm sun, I finally made it back to our comfortable home, where my husband greeted me with an inviting smile and hug, as well as with approval for the fossil fragments I had found on the return journey.

This beach stroll reminded me of how much easier and more pleasant life can be when we experience tailwinds rather than headwinds! Financial analysts speak of socioeconomic headwinds and tailwinds that may affect a stock’s performance, and air travel reminds us that these can result in a late or early arrival. If we are sailing, biking, hiking, kayaking or just traveling through life, our direction can definitely influence whether we’ll encounter headwinds, and their impact on our journey and destination.

Sometimes we face headwinds because we deliberately choose to fly in the face of obstacles. At other times, as in flying to another city, we have no choice but to follow the designated route, regardless of whether circumstances favor or hinder our journey.  

Spiritually speaking, we can be guided by the gentle breath, or inspiration, of the Holy Spirit nudging us forward, or we can fly straight into His face in a headstrong spirit of rebellion. How much better to have Him as our Comforter (John 14:16), Advocate (1 John 2:1), Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) and Friend (Proverbs 18:24) than to face the wrath of our infinitely holy and righteous God!

Yet even when we are attempting to follow God’s perfect will for our life, we may encounter headwinds. Satan may be throwing obstacles in our path to discourage us, and God may allow it to strengthen our faith in and dependence on Him. Sometimes Satan works through others, perhaps even well-meaning Christian brethren who have forgotten the old tale of the sun and wind arguing over who could get a man walking on the road to remove his coat.

In that fable, the wind huffed and puffed and blew at the man with all his might, but to no avail, for the man only pulled his cloak about him more tightly. But when the sun shone brightly, the man soon removed his coat voluntarily to enjoy the sun’s warming rays. The message of this tale is like the old proverb that it’s easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar. To paraphrase, we are more likely to shape others’ behavior in favorable ways by being a tailwind to speed them down the correct path, rather than a headwind impeding their progress. 

My beach experience also reminded me of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-31). He was lulled into a false sense of security when he left his Father’s house, headed in the wrong direction, enticed by the pleasures of sin, lured away by his own greed and selfishness, and facing increasing obstacles every step of the way. When he had finally burned through his inheritance and sunk to the utter degradation of feeding and living with swine, he came to the end of himself and came to his senses.

Only then did he repent, or change direction and turn around, realizing he would be far better off as even a servant in his Father’s house. With each step toward home, his feet must have moved faster and the burden on his heart must have grown lighter as he grew more confident of the wisdom of his choice to return. Can you imagine how his anticipation changed to joy as he saw his Father running to meet him, arms opened wide, welcoming him back with a feast, ring, and finest robe?

When we are saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6)  it is because the Holy Spirit has convicted us of our sin, shown us that we as sinners must face eternal punishment in hell unless we trust Christ as our Savior, and led us to repentance. Once we confess our sins, we have a change of heart and of direction, turning from rebelling against God to following Him. Then we are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), as our burden of sin is lifted away.

But even mature Christians can rebel against God and must then face the headwinds of the consequences of sin. Although God has given us free will to choose our direction, He loves us too much to allow us to turn away from Him without a struggle. First, He speaks in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12). If we ignore that, He may take away our privileges or impose punishment. We may lose fellowship with Him, the joy of His salvation (Psalm 51:12), the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), our health, wealth, or even our physical life.

But praise God, once a backslidden Christian changes direction to return to the Father, these headwinds may disappear, according to His perfect will and timing, and be replaced by tailwinds spiriting the repentant sinner along to restored fellowship with the Father. Praise God, no matter how far the born-again believer may roam, he will never lose his salvation, for the Father tenderly anticipates his return home!  

Copyright 2025 Laurie Collett

Road Trip!

Photo by Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, 2010

Particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, one of the great pleasures in life for my husband and me was and is the road trip!

Nothing too risky, except for the occasional stay in a rented vacation home in a scenic location, ordering takeout, cooking some meals, and spending the days in national and state parks. But our go-to road trip is always to our favorite beach on an island, just 90 minutes away, for a few days of beachcombing, swimming, biking, and kayaking.

On our latest such trip, it dawned on me how much planning and advance preparation were needed just for such a short trip and stay. Despite the casual beach lifestyle, appropriate clothes must be packed for a variety of activities and even a wide range of temperatures, especially during the winter. In February, it’s not unusual to swim in the mid-afternoon, but to enjoy the warmth of a down vest when stargazing!

As our getaway is on an island, I must carefully plan our menus and bring all needed groceries, as well as other necessities such as sunscreen, paper products, and emergency medications. My husband apportions our daily supplements into plastic packets to maintain our health while we’re away.

As I continue to work in the evenings, I have to make sure that my laptop is updated and charged and that I bring all needed files. To allow a more restful time away, I try to do whatever work I can and put out any fires before we leave.

Packing the car, especially if we’re bringing tools or equipment needed for property repairs or maintenance, is a project my husband usually starts the night before, not to mention gassing up and checking the tires and oil.

The morning that we leave, I pack the cooler and fix coffee and oatmeal to eat on the road, and we make sure lights and air conditioning are off and everything is locked at home.

Finally, seat belts buckled, we grin at one another and shout “Road trip!”

But we’re not there yet. Unexpected delays frustrate us – heavy traffic, an accident or construction blocking several lanes or even forcing a detour, car trouble, or suddenly remembering we forgot something essential and must retrace our path before we can set off again. Although we know the way, we usually set the GPS just to be warned of road hazards.

On one occasion, five minutes into our journey we nearly got into an accident when a gopher tortoise decided to cross the highway – even though these creatures are far more common on the island than where we live!  

Sooner or later, if we persevere, we make it to the barge landing. Could be a long wait to board, depending on the number of visitors and workers traveling to the island, or it could be even longer in inclement weather. But the sights, sounds and scents of island living tantalize us – the varied blues of the Intracoastal sparkling in the sun, osprey mournfully calling one another, the clean yet salty sea air.

On the island at last! But still the car must be unpacked, food transferred from cooler to fridge, windows opened to let the sun shine in.

Yet it’s all worth it once I find myself alone in the pool, swimming in clear aqua water at a perfect temperature, enjoying the company of a mourning dove perched high on the roof of the pool house, like the Holy Spirit waiting to descend. The sun shines through palm fronds in the shape of a gleaming cross, and I feel all my tension melt away as I watch a pair of osprey circle through the sky and land on a tall Norfolk Island pine where they’re building a nest.

Then later, my husband and I walk the beach, marveling at the intricacy and variety of shells and fossils God scattered there for us to enjoy; at the flocks of pelicans overhead and shore birds nibbling at coquinas, and at the landscape of sand, surf and sky He so masterfully painted for us. A few wispy lace clouds trace through the brilliant blue sky, just enough for the setting sun to later illuminate in gold, orange, mauve, and pink. Still later we’ll lie beneath the stars and contemplate the beauty and vastness of God’s creation (Psalm 19:1).

All too soon it will be time to head home, refreshed and renewed from our road trip, yet sorry to see our Island Paradise in our rear view mirror.

Our most recent road trip reminded me of a much longer, more portentous journey – and one with an even more perfect destination. As Christians who are saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), we know that Heaven is our ultimate and eternal destination (John 3:16). Until we get there, we are on a road trip with unexpected twists, turns, hazards, mountains, valleys and delays.

Preparation for this road trip is quite different from our earthly vacations. We don’t have to pack, for we can’t take anything with us (1 Timothy 6:7), and everything we need and could possibly desire will be there awaiting us (1 Corinthians 2:9). We have the best road map and GPS imaginable – God’s Word! (Psalm 119:105). In fact, the journey will be far smoother and more peaceful if we don’t drive ourselves, but leave our direction to the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who is the ultimate Navigator! (John 16:13).

So how can we prepare for this road trip to Heaven? First and foremost, be sure you’re saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). Unless you have an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, your destination will be the eternal misery of hell, and not the everlasting bliss of Heaven (John 3:18).

Follow His general will for all through prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18), worship (Psalm 150), meditation on His Word (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; 119:97), loving Him and one another (Luke 10:27), and witnessing to others (Psalm 66:16). Follow His specific will for your life by seeking His direction (Psalm 66:16) and boldly walking through the doors He opens (Jeremiah 29:11).

Then, what an amazing, wondrous land awaits us – one that defies imagination! (1 Corinthians 2:9). All the perils and hardships of the journey will be worth it all when we see His face! (1 Corinthians 13:12)

There will be no sun or moon, yet Jesus Christ Himself will light Heaven with His perfect radiance (Revelation 21:23). There will be no sea (Revelation 21:1), for there will be no national boundaries, divisions or conflict – just His Church worshipping Him in perfect unity (1 Corinthians 12). He is lovingly preparing mansions for each of us (John 14:2), uniquely tailored to our preferences and desires, in a perfect City with gates of pearl, streets of gold, and walls of precious stones (Revelation 21:18-21).

Best of all, we shall eternally be united with Lord Jesus Christ and with all of our loved ones in Him, not to mention all the saints through all the ages (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Can you imagine having personal conversations with Moses or the apostle Paul? We will have infinite time to enjoy their company and the fulfilling occupation that our Lord has appointed each of us.

We will be in young, glorified bodies that never age, get sick, die, or even experience pain or sorrow (1 Corinthians 15:42-53). We will never have to say goodbye to our loved ones or leave this idyllic Paradise!

Lord, may you guide us on all our earthly road trips but especially on our ultimate journey through life as we travel to Heaven! May we follow Your direction so that we can hear You say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21,23).

Copyright 2022 Laurie Collett

 

 

 

God's Best

Photo by Laurie Collett 2020

My husband and I were walking the beach on a beautiful morning, in the perfect setting for our prescribed 30-minute brisk daily walk. The sun-streaked, silver waves glimmered as they swirled along the shore in frothy, lacy curly-cues. Feathery clouds arched through the robin’s egg blue sky, where terns flew in a V-shaped formation and pelicans soared, periodically interrupting their flight to nose dive into the sea in search of breakfast.

“Only primo specimens,” Richard shouted over the drum roll of the surf. He must have seen me glancing furtively at the chipped, yet still colorful and intricate shells lining the beach, and the fragments of fossilized bone that were too small to be identified and given a home in his already vast collection. 

With a sigh, I knew he was right. Not only would such souvenirs add to the clutter at home, but they would weigh us down on our morning walk. On previous jaunts like this, poor Richard was laden down, beach bag stuffed and pockets bulging with what appeared to the casual observer to be just rocks! 

The main objective on this day was to get 30 minutes of moderately paced exercise, to strengthen our hearts, bodies and immune system. If we were to get bogged down stopping to examine, pick up, and rinse off a beach treasure, it would interrupt our continuous exercise and keep us from reaching our goal. 

Being too preoccupied with beachcombing could also distract us from taking time to appreciate God’s blessings of the balmy breeze, the crisp salt air, the warm sunshine, and each other to share the experience!

Later on, on our sunset stroll, there would be the luxury of pausing to admire each find and show it to each other, discussing whether a long, black object was a fossilized rib or femur to be kept, or just a rock to be discarded. But even then, if we collected merely average specimens, we would run out of room in our bag and pockets for finer gifts from the sea. 

As I wandered along the shore’s edge, often a shiny or dark, large object would catch my eye, and I would bend down to scoop out of the water before the waves could carry it away. But often, as I did that, finally clutching the prize in my hand, I would notice an even better specimen being drawn out to sea by the waves, now tantalizingly out of reach. 

Whether or not we fill our storage chests with better or worse specimens is of minimal importance in the vast scheme of things. But it reminded me that we can become weighted down (Hebrews 12:1), and even set off course, by the seemingly good things the world has to offer, while missing out on God’s best (James 4:4). 

As born-again Christians (John 3:3-8) saved by our faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we know that He has a unique plan for each of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). The safest and best place we could possibly be is to be in the center of that plan, for He loves us infinitely and wants what is best for us (Jeremiah 33:3). 

The extent of the rewards we are given at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15), and the sorrow we experience over missed opportunities to serve Him, will in large part depend on how attuned we are to hear the Holy Spirit’s guidance and to make wise choices (Romans 8:14; Matthew 6:24). To run the race of faith with perseverance and dedication, we must not become weighted down with distractions, or worse yet, let temptation lead to sin that keeps us from finishing the course (1 Corinthians 9:24, Hebrews 12:1). 

I remembered a story often repeated by Charles Stanley in his sermons, which I will attempt to paraphrase. As a young pastor struggling to make ends meet, he needed to replace his car. He prayed and searched for a good deal on a used economy car, and finally found one for sale that seemed to be a perfect fit for his budget. 

As he was about to sign the paper work, he heard the Holy Spirit asking him, “Son, do you want this, or do you want God’s best?” 

So he muttered an apology to the confused salesman, got up, and left the car dealership, reluctant to let the car go, yet trusting in God’s will and guidance. Three days later, he was stunned by a surprise visit from a member of his congregation. 

“Pastor, I know you need another vehicle, and one day over coffee a few weeks ago you shared with me all the features you would like in your dream car if money were no object,” the church member began..”So I took the liberty of purchasing your brand new dream car for you, and I am praying you will accept it as a gift from me and my family.” 

Needless to say, Pastor Stanley learned the lessons of listening for God’s still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12), and waiting on the Lord (Psalm 27:14), Who always desires to shower His children with the blessing of His very best gifts (Matthew 7:11). May we do the same until He comes again!

© 2020 Laurie Collett