Devotion: Red Air Alert

It’s that time of year again when we are used to hearing about the Red Air Alerts.  We hear the repeated warnings: “Keep your driving to a minimum; don’t spend prolonged time outside; keep elderly and young children indoors;” all warnings that leave us praying for a storm to blow through to clean out the dreaded inversion.   We know that strong winds will eventually push all of the bad air over the mountains leaving beautiful blue skies behind.  Everyone eagerly anticipates those gale forces here in the valley, but how many eagerly anticipate the gale forces in our own lives?

There are times when we become stale and dormant, when the ‘air’ around us is poisoning our hearts.  What we need is to have the Holy Spirit blow His purifying breath to cleanse us again.  He was there in the New Testament with the disciple when “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” Acts 2:2

Please note this is not a warm summer breeze, but a VIOLENT WIND.  No one looks forward to upheaval in their lives, such as the loss of a job, death of a loved one, financial hardship or the ending of a relationship.  But the Lord can use such things to clean out the stagnant air, leaving behind a renewed love and devotion to Him who sustains us all.  “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalms 51:12

It is through these storms in our lives that the Lord restores us to who He wants us to be - but only if we let him.  “Lord, please help me to focus on You during the stormy times in my life.  Help me to remember that You will restore me and hold me up.  Use this time to bring me closer to you.  Amen.”

Written by Myken Smith
Having lived all over the country, Myken has found a home here in Utah with her husband of 13 years, Jason, adding their two year old, Emily along the way.  After giving her heart to Christ in 6th grade, Myken has had lots of ups and down throughout her walk.  CrossPoint Church has been the turning point to help her become the vessel for God that she is meant to be. Originally a Journalism major, she is now writing for the Lord as He leads.