The
Cat's Meow
by Tina Dabill
“Oh, Callie, you’re not going to like the wind anyway!” I found myself saying these words impatiently to my cat. It was another stormy day here in Northern California. Callie often has the desire to go outside and her piercing meows make it clear what she wants. But when I open the door to let her out, the wind and rain scare her away. She and I have to go through this routine of me opening the door for her, her staring out like she has never seen wind before, and her running away to hide. It’s a pattern I know well from repetition and yet it always seems new to her.
I wonder how often I act like Callie in my spiritual life. When the winds and storms of life come, am I surprised and scared? Do I act like it is something entirely new and foreign to me? Do I run to hide?
I am reminded of Peter’s words in 1 Peter 1:6, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Later he continues his theme in 1 Peter 4:12, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing....” NASB emphasis added
As Peter was guided to write the book of 1 Peter, can’t you see him with his pen in hand as the Spirit brought to his mind his own experience with wind? He could tell us something about what happens when we focus on our fear of circumstances rather than the truth we know about God. Matthew 14 is the account of Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. But what happens next is crucial to understanding how my responses to the storms of life affect what I experience. Verse 30 says, “But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reaches out his hand in verse 31 to help Peter and says to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” What made the difference between Peter walking on the water or sinking? What he was focused on. Somehow it was a measure of his faith. When his eyes were on Jesus, he walked on the water (how amazing is that?!). But when he looked at the wind, he was frightened and he began to sink.
I have a sticker inside the front cover of one of my Bibles that reminds me to “glance at my circumstances, gaze at God.” This is helpful for me when I act like Callie and feel scared and surprised by the “wind” God brings my way. Scripture makes it clear I have a choice to make. I can exercise faith in God by remembering His character and His truth revealed to me in His Word, or I can allow my circumstances to overwhelm my view of God. The difference will be “walking on the water” or sinking in my doubt.
I can’t get my cat, Callie, to go outside in those storms. I can’t give her the assurance and security that she needs to be brave and “uncatlike.” But God can change me. He can make me into someone so unlike myself that I reflect His image, glorifying Him through the storms He allows. He can give me His strength to endure, His grace to persevere, His peace that surpasses understanding. What are the winds like in your life right now? Are they blowing so hard that you don’t think you can stand? Do you want to hide? How about hiding in the shelter of His arms? They are strong enough to protect you, wise enough to guide you, and loving enough to provide everything you need.
