On the Fence

Our pastor gave a fantastic sermon based on 1Kings. The theme of it centered on the Prophet Elijah asking the people who they believed in- God or Baal (their fertility “god”/idol).

“Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How long are you going to waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God then follow him! But the people were completely silent.” 1Kings 18:20,21

They were being indecisive. Sitting on the fence is playing it safe. Staying silent about an important issue is also playing it safe. People are scared to really “pick a side” whether it has to do with religion, politics, free choice vs. abortion and other tricky subjects. Many men and women don’t want to risk being seen as in-tolerant so they basically tolerate everything.I hope people find me compassionate, but standing for truth.

If state climates were people I would have to say Washington is sitting on the fence and Illinois has made a decision. The weather in Illinois is one of extremes and usually what you see is what you get. The winters are HARD and COLD. The summers are HOT and STICKY. If you move to Illinois, you need to have clothes for all four seasons. The good news is that you only need one outfit per day. When the weatherman announces the day’s forecast you know that if it’s a warm day it will stay warm and if it’s a cold day it’ll stay cold. Fronts blow storms in, but usually there is fair warning. This past weekend the weather where my husband lives in Glen Ellyn (a suburb west of Chicago) was glorious; sunny and 70’s-80. He could finally open up the windows and air out the house, go golfing, and drive around in his convertible.
Yes I was jealous!

The weather in the Northwest sort of stays the same 9 months out of the year yet changes hour by hour. It is often WET and chilly. Everyone looks forward to July-September when we might get sunshine and low 70’s. I think the weather here is just afraid to “make a stand”. Each season blends in to the next and sometimes the only way we know what month we're in, is to look at a calendar or see what plants are for sale at the grocery. I LOVE the beauty around Puget Sound, and I know in my brain that the weather systems are produced by the location to the water and mountains, but it’s still occasionally frustrating. We might start the day with sunshine thinking, “Yea, we can have a tennis match!” but an hour later it’s raining, windy and chilly. I shoot up lots of prayers that a gray cloud will keep moving! We wear lots of layers here because we just don’t know what we’re going to get.Lightweight sweaters and Northface jackets are a staple around here.

Are you someone who is easily swayed by those around you? Does what everyone else thinks or believes make you change your mind? Are you always politically correct, even outside the office? Let’s not “sit on the fence” about our faith, but act boldly. Be more like a mid-west blizzard or tornado. Be intense for the Lord!

I am indecisive when it comes to choosing off a menu...The sampler was created with me in mind.

In His Grip, Jane