Weather affects our moods differently at different times of the year. But one thing remains the same: we all talk about the weather, whether we like the weather or don’t like the weather (and whether you find the repetition of homonyms interesting or dull or even if you don’t know what the word homonym means, you can get a sense of it when you sound out the word weather and whether in the same breath and what my meaning is). Weather affects whether we take a hike or go skiing, have a garden wedding or hold it indoors, mow the lawn or shovel the driveway, go to the beach or visit a museum.

As one gets older, the weather report becomes required reading, and plans are contingent upon the outlook for the next seven days and not just today. We become interested in weather in other parts of the country. (For those living in the southern hemisphere or other countries, please substitute the following geographical references accordingly.) Those in the sunny south take winter ski-vacations in the snow-covered mountains. Northerners take winter vacations in Florida, the Caribbean, southern California, or Hawaii. Some people love the snow; others hate it. Some love the hot, dry desert, while others prefer the regular changing of seasons: colorful autumns, beautiful snow-falling evenings around the hearth, spring blossoms, and summer sunshine.

I am reminded of a story when Jesus pointed out the penchant of the religious leaders to talk about the weather. He used that to answer their taunt against Him to perform a miraculous sign that would prove to them He was the Messiah. They didn’t really think He was the long-awaited deliverer for Israel but were trying to shut Him down. Little did they know that the One who formed the skies knew the signs of hypocrisy when He saw them. Let’s listen in on the conversation:

The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” (Matt. 16:1–4)

The next time I anticipate how the weather will affect whether I do this or that, I want to remember that my Christian walk should not depend on seeing miracles but on believing God is real and active in my life. I want to continually remind myself that I walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).

I must bring this blog to an end; my wife and I are going out for a hike today—weather permitting, er, I mean, Lord willing (James 4:13-15).