One day last week I was biking one of my favorite routes, trying to best my previous time. About two thirds around the route it became clear that it wasn't going to happen. The temperature had climbed to a sweltering 90 degrees accompanied by 68% humidity, so it felt a bit like pedaling through a hot tub. My energy and speed were fading fast. But then I encountered a section of the route that changed everything. As the trail swung by the west side of Lake Calhoun, I was unexpectedly greeted by a cool, refreshing breeze blowing off the water. For that brief quarter of a mile, it was as if I had entered a different climate. I emerged back into the 90 degree heat having been given new life, renewed vitality and enough strength to kick hard the last three miles.
What I experienced on that ride by the lake, is what scientists refer to as a micro-climate. Bear with me while I wax a little scientific on you. You see, I've researched the subject on Google for about twenty minutes and I now consider myself somewhat of an expert in the area.
A micro-climate is defined as a "variation of the climate within a given area, usually influenced by hills, hollows, structures or proximity to bodies of water. A micro-climate differs significantly from the general climate of a region" and can be as little as a few inches wide. Micro-climates exist as islands of life, in places no life would otherwise be possible.
One of the most dramatic examples of this phenomenon is a line of deep sea vents which form along mid-ocean ridges, such as the East Pacific Rise and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These are locations where two tectonic plates are diverging and new crust is being formed. Water pouring out of vents can reach temperatures up to about 400 C but the high pressure keeps the water from boiling. However, the intense heat is limited to a small area. Within less than an inch of the vent opening, the water temperature drops to 2 C, the ambient temperature of deep seawater.
It was long believed that the immense pressure that exists at that depth, combined with total darkness and frigid temperatures were too hostile to support life. However, recent discovery of these incredible micro-climates along these vents, where lush ecosystems thrive in total darkness, have blown that belief, excuse the pun, out of the water.
What I find interesting about micro-climates is; while they occur naturally all over the planet, they can also be created. In fact, any serious gardener will tell you that the ability to create small micro-climates is key to growing successful, thriving gardens, especially in places like Minnesota where the short growing season can make gardening a challenge.
How do they do it?
In colder regions some gardeners use large boulders or rocks, strategically located within and around their garden, to provide not only a shelter for the wind but also a source of warmth when the temperature drops. The boulders draw in heat from the sun during the day and then release it slowly at night.
Another method of creating a micro-climate suitable for plants to thrive early or late in the growing season is to either fully enclose the garden bed in material that can both capture and retain the heat of the sun, or, place reflective sheets or panels next to the garden bed in such a way as to reflect heat and light onto the growing plants.
Raised bed gardening is another popular method used to elevate plants at a higher level, allowing for warmer soil temperatures in which plants can thrive.
Yet another common practice is to plant seedlings closer to together, which not only changes the temperature of the soil, but allows plants to use their shared strength as protection from the harsh elements. Planting closer together also allows for more efficient watering and fertilizing.
In short, gardeners create micro-climates by using large rock, directed and focused light, elevation above the surrounding environment and by placing plants in close proximity to one another. Using one or all of these methods allow life to thrive in areas that would normally be hostile to healthy growth.
Hmm, I think I feel a spiritual analogy coming on, don't you?
As Christians we live in an environment that is hostile to spiritual growth. On our own we have no chance of survival.
Our God has given us everything we need to live in the hostile climate of this world. In essence He has provided us with access to our own spiritual micro-climate. Regardless of the conditions or the weather around us, He gives us the tools to create our own weather.
That spiritual micro-climate consists of:
A spiritual Rock to shield me and from which to draw strength.
Psalm 62:6 - 8 "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Christ's light, to guide, nourish and sustain me through the storms of life.
John 1:1 - 5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
2 Corinthians 4:5 - 6 "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
We've been elevated to sit with Him in heavenly places. We are no longer of this world; no longer in bondage to the elements of this world.
2 Corinthians 4:5 - 6 "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
We've been elevated to sit with Him in heavenly places. We are no longer of this world; no longer in bondage to the elements of this world.
Ephesians 2:4 - 8 "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God..."
He places us in close proximity to other believers so that we can strengthen and encourage one another. We all drink of the life giving water of His Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:12 - 14 "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many."
God has given us each this spiritual micro-climate so that wherever we are planted, whatever the circumstances of life, we can create our own weather. We do not need to be dependent on external sources. We don't need to be dependent on the perfect career to give us identity or meaning. We are not dependent on the perfect family environment to nurture and love us. We're not even dependent on the perfect church organization or the perfect pastor. Christians who create their own micro-climate thrive wherever they are, despite the conditions around them. Rather than be influenced by their environment, they influence the environment around them. Rather than let attitudes, negativity or the hurtfulness of others weaken and destroy them spiritually, His Spirit in them provides a source of love that sustains and nourishes not only them, but allows them to freely extend that love to others.
So how's your spiritual micro-climate? Do you create your own weather? Or, do you often feel like you’re standing out in the rain, being battered by the wind and other hostile elements of this world? If we have so much at our disposal to create our own weather, why are so many of us still so vulnerable to fear, anxiety and depression because of our circumstances or the environment around us? How many of us allow ourselves to be defeated by negative people or events?
Because we have all been there from time to time, perhaps the better question is how can we get this micro-climate thing working for us?
The Apostle Paul is a great example of a believer that had a powerful spiritual micro-climate surrounding him.
In Philippians 4:11 - 13 he writes "...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Amazing! Sounds like he was riding through a cool, refreshing breeze no matter where he went. I want some of that weather around me, don't you?
How did he get it?
In Galatians 2:20 he shares what makes it possible.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
He was able to live in that micro-climate because he was completely sold out, completely in tune with the source of the weather he enjoyed. He rejected his old man, complete with its desires, its fears, its anxieties and hurts and its need to control his own environment. He surrendered it all, in faith laying it all at the Master's feet so that He might come and live in Him.
Jesus Christ living in Him, was the life force that sustained Paul. He basked in the strength of the Rock. He allowed the light of God's love and His truth to nourish and strengthen Him. Rejecting this world, he embraced his citizenship in heaven, elevated to sit in heavenly places. He thrived on the the close proximity he felt with the brethren. Their encouragement and comfort gave him confidence to continue in ministry.
In a nut shell, it was dying to himself, and surrendering to let Christ live every day in him which created the micro-climate that sustained and strengthened Paul. It's that same attitude, that same perspective, that can allow us to survive and thrive when the weather around us turns hostile.
I know I'm going to make a point to swing by that lake again this summer. It made all the difference in my ability to finish strong. It would be great if I could figure out a way to get that refreshing breeze to envelop me for more than just a quarter mile. However, short of strapping an air conditioner to my handle bars I don't think it's possible.
Spiritually speaking though, I'm thankful that our God has provided all the right conditions for His people to grow up in Him. Safe in the micro-climate that He provides, fair weather can be with us wherever we go.