Windows May Not Be All They're Cracked Up To Be

There is no window in the office I share with Valarie.  We're getting our updates from those who come through: "It's sleeting;"  "It's snowing now;"  "Roads are slick;"  "Winds are picking up."  Both our husbands have called, "What's the plan if they let school out?"   "You might want to warm up the car before you leave for lunch - no, I'll just come get you."  A co-worker down the street just told me someone fishtailed by the courthouse.  Photos and warnings from local friends are popping up by the second on Facebook and it does look dangerous.  

"But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid.
     He began to sink.
          He cried out, “Lord! Save me!”
               Matthew 14:30
Slick - slippery - messy - wet - cold - icy - gray - dangerous, but we'd never know it in this heated, quiet coccoon of an office. We have an extra heater going and it's pretty much business as usual, except that we've heard what's out there.  We're like personnel on a submarine - hearing blips, but not seeing it for ourselves and there are two ways to look at our situation:

First, we're missing out on seeing the sleet and snow fall, and that's tough on me because I'm a decisive weather junkie.  I like to see sun shining brightly, rain raining down hard, and snow blowing in gusts.  Overcast, gray days that can't make up their minds what to do are my least favorite. I've walked down the hall to look out the window a couple of times just to enjoy the sight of sleet blowing across rooftops and roads, but when I get back to work, that scene slips out of mind.

Which brings up the second way to see our submarine situation. We're getting along just fine, accomplishing what we need to accomplish and forgetting the threats of the outside world.  Knowing me, a window would distract (weather's too pretty or too bad, etc.) and keep me guessing at which way today (and tomorrow) might go. The way things are, we'll work til quittin' time then deal with what's left of it instead of all the what ifs beforehand. 

"Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the author of faith. He also makes it perfect. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy He was looking forward to. Then He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2

Scripture after scripture tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus and our spiritual ears sensitive to His Voice.  Speculating about waves of potential future problems only distracts us from what He calls us to do today, right now, this minute.  The Apostles counted the cost for the moment, not necessarily for their lifetimes or they might not have walked away from paying jobs.  When Gabriel announced God's plan to Mary, she allowed herself to speculate on how the immediate problem of pregnancy would be solved, not on the million of other potential worry points.

Windows are nice, but they may not be all they're cracked up to be if what we see through them brings more anxiety than joy.  Maybe this explains why God allows us only small windows when it comes to the future but large, day-sized windows as a rule. 

"Don’t worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him. Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood." 
Philippians 4:6-7