The Whirlwind

We've all been there. The to-do list is longer than the hours in the day, the bills are higher than the balance in the bank and our relationships are strained to the breaking point.

It feels like we're caught in a whirlwind, being blown to pieces by the pressures of life.

It's an idea I've been thinking about a lot this last week -- largely brought on by my purchase of a CD called The Whirlwind, by Transatlantic.

The title piece is broken into 12 parts spanning 77 minutes with this cohesive theme of the whirlwind. Some sample lyrics if you will:


And we got caught in the whirlwind
Torn by the storms of our lives
We counted - counted on something
That never could hold up our lives

...

And we got caught in the whirlwind
Torn by the storms of our lives
And just when we thought we had something
It turned into dust in our eyes

So curiosity got the best of me and I checked to see how many times the word "whirlwind" appeared in the Bible. And the answer I came up with was 15, all in the Old Testament.

Most often, whirlwind might bring to mind the story of Elijah being taken up to heaven in 2 Kings 2.

But primarily, the message these passages conveyed is the same as the lyrics above. For example, Isaiah 40:23-24:

He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

So what will we do when the whirlwind begins to blow us around? Attempt to cling to the things of this world or grab hold of something more substantial, something eternal?

The CD concludes with an idea that I believe Elijah found to be true:

There is in the heart of the whirlwind
One who has been for all time
And he was sent to deliver
And bring forth the river of life
And we are here in the wilderness
Seeking some shelter inside
And now that it's done
Out of the whirlwind
Comes forth the true breath of life

Snow White

The thing about being around a kids is that you often have the chance to go back and see games, books or movies that you haven't given much thought to in years. And along with that, you see those things from a wiser (maybe?), more jaded (likely) adult perspective.

Such was the case in watching Walt Disney's animated classic, Snow White. The story is a fairy tale that may be as old as the Middle Ages and was first put to print by the Brothers Grimm in the early 1800's. The tale has certainly had its fair share of revisions over the years, but nonetheless, in this most popular animated version, I observed a great deal of Christian symbolism.

Snow White is so good and perfect that when the evil Queen is told by her magic mirror that "Snow White is the fairest one of all," it enrages her. Like Lucifer, the angel of light, she seeks to destroy this perfect creation (mankind).

And, of course, the evil Queen does eventually appear to succeed with her poison apple -- OK, that one is a bit obvious.

There are seven dwarfs, a popular number for symbolizing completion/perfection in the Bible, that are Snow White's friends.

After she eats of the apple (sin), the dwarfs put Snow White in a glass coffin and mourn her death until the Prince arrives to unlock the power of that death with his kiss. Snow White is awakened and walks arm in arm with the Prince toward a golden castle gleaming in the clouds on the horizon -- a perfect picture of our resurrection and ultimate destination. And don't forget the dwarfs chased the evil Queen until she fell off the cliff to the bottom of a pit.

There's certainly greater detail that could be explored, but these are just some of the big picture highlights.

While none of this is breaking new ground, I was reminded once again that we can see God's hand many places if we only open our eyes.

And may we all live happily ever after!