Biosphere 2, the quirky space-age project near Tucson, Arizona that once attracted international attention, began construction in 1984. It was thrust into the limelight in 1991 when eight men and women were sealed inside the giant terrarium as part of an experiment to determine whether they could survive without the help of outside air, water, food, or supplies. At the end of two years, the experiment had failed on multiple fronts.

The scientists had thought of so many things while they were creating their own mini-version of the world. But one thing that they could not create that the Creator did was wind. They learned that, without the resistance of the wind, the strength of the trees on a cellular level diminished and, gradually, the trees would just bend to the ground.

James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)

Just as in nature, trees need the trial of wind to maintain strength, so to do we require trials to maintain strength in our faith. A difficult lesson, but isn’t it great to know that God is consistent?

Paul Neighbors