When The Dust Settles

Sometimes the circumstances of life can make us feel like we are caught standing within a gritty black cloud of a dust storm. We cannot see what may be ahead of us, let alone find our footing while attempting to move forward. And sometimes we may feel like we are just circling. Round and round we dance while the dust billows and blows.

The Dust Bowl, also known as the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms that greatly damaged the agriculture of the North American prairies during the 1930s. Severe drought and a failure to apply the proper farming methods caused the phenomenon. Perhaps a little wise in their own eyes, and impatient with little understanding of the ecology of the land, farmers had conducted extensive deep plowing of the virgin topsoil which ruined the deep-rooted grasses that normally trapped soil and moisture even during periods of drought and high winds.

In essence, the lands had a barrier of protection that helped them to withstand the harsh realities of their ever-changing environment. In a hasty attempt to develop, man pushed the land beyond its capabilities turning once rich soil into nothing more than dry dust. Eventually the winds began to blow causing the sky to darken, fatal debilitating storms to blow, and devastation to fall upon the people.

Psalm 27:14, Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

What a picture it paints when we compare the dust storms to the spiritual storms and drought we sometimes face in life. The Holy Spirit places a barrier of protection to help us withstand the harsh realities of our ever-changing environment. But perhaps wise in our own eyes, and a little impatient, we hastily attempt to achieve our goals and dreams by disregarding the barriers meant to protect us and push ourselves beyond our capabilities. Then, before we know it, the circumstances of which we set forth in motion can make us feel like we are standing within the gritty black cloud of a dust storm.

But let us remember that eventually the dust begins to settle, the clouds start to break revealing the aftermath of the storm, and wisdom is a gift that comes from the aftermath. Wisdom teaches us that there are consequences to our choices whether positive or negative. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather avoid the storm. In order to do this we must stand upon the firm foundation of wisdom: whatever path The Lord has set us on, whatever goals and dreams we have impressed upon our heart, whatever the situation or circumstance we may be facing, we must trust that The Lord will finish what He has started within us.

There exists a barrier of protection spread over us so that we may withstand the harsh realities of our ever-changing environment. We can be sure the dust storms will come attempting to wreak havoc in our lives, but God is forever steady never bending in the wind. He is our nourishment during times of drought and devastation.

Father, when we feel left out, overlooked, or even abandoned, may we stand upon the truth that you are always at work within us, preparing us for your great plans and purposes. You will always finish what you began in us. In Jesus name, Amen.

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