Out Our Way: Hearts, Larks and First Chinooks - Job 19:25-27

Out of our way, as every Montanan knows, even the fiercest arctic blasts of an Alberta Clipper has to give way to the gentle warm breeze of the Chinook winds. I recall the snow piled up 8 feet tall along the road on a dark winter day shrinking within days when the sun replaced the storm clouds and the Chinook winds began to blow.

I have often used the analogy of those tough times in life we all face being like a Montana winter. Our world is devastated as the dark clouds roll in and the screaming banshee of an Alberta Clipper blots out the sun, the sky, and the landscape. All beauty is gone - darkness and freezing cold dominate the world. But the wise ones tell us not to despair - that not only is spring coming, but Chinook winds will come from time to time to melt the ice and remind us of our hope.

I have a dear friend whose husband died a few years ago - and, without question, it was the darkest time of her life. Emptiness, misery, loneliness, and despair raged like a howling arctic wind. Yet on the day of the funeral, as she stood in total devastation - she looked up and saw a cloud that took the form of a heart. She took a picture and sent it to me - and yes indeed - the cloud was very much heart shaped. I was driving home in a terrible blizzard one day and in deep depression. As I drove on a deserted road, my car began to act up as the storm raged. My speed was slowed because of visibility, but it began to become even slower as the car lost power. I truly believed I would be stranded and possibly freeze to death before anyone came along - but just before the engine died, I crossed over a hill and saw the one and only gas station on the entire 92 mile road I was traveling. I came over the hill and began to pick up speed, coasting to the gas pumps just as the engine died. I got out and at that instant the sun popped out, the snow stopped, and a chorus of meadowlarks began to sing.   

Hearts, larks and chinooks. Meaningless incidents in the spiritual, mental, and physical winters of our lives, or events with actual purpose and meaning. Why did the cloud form in that shape when it did? Why did the larks sing at that moment? Why do warm chinook winds blow in the same season as the Alberta Clippers? Well, we can choose to believe or disbelieve that these things have meaning - but we cannot disregard the fact they happened. Do with it what you will.

I remember in seminary being told the most widely read book in the Bible is the Book of Job. As you likely know, Job was a man whose faith was severely tested as one disaster after another struck him down. Family, fortune, reputation, and health were all taken from him, and even his closest friends opted to assume Job had it coming. Instead of sympathy he got condemnation. Man, I have been tossed, stomped, and busted up - but never faced anything like Job. Maybe that's why his story is so popular! Misery loves company - and finding someone whose misery is even greater than yours can make you realize "it could be worse."

Yet here is Job - in the midst of his anguish - seemingly rejected and hated by God calling out, " I know that my redeemer lives!"  Even in the darkest hour he reaches out and cries to his God. And God, who had never deserted him despite all the pain and suffering Job had to endure for our sake - this is why the book was written and still widely read, to remind us to never give up - God hears and lifts him up.

On the cross, Jesus directed His followers to the 22nd Psalm, which begins in despair " My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" [Psalm22:1]  Read the rest of the Psalm and you not only discover the Psalm was a prophecy as it describes the crucifixion, but also a promise of triumph as the psalm ends in a proclamation of salvation. Then comes the beloved 23rd Psalm. Like the heart, the lark, and the Chinook - some will see no meaning and ascribe the placement as meaningless coincidence. So be it. But some will see the heart, hear the lark, feel the chinook, and read the Word and believe something else.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Brother John 

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way."