Life in the Storms
Matthew 7:25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Last week I participated in an amazing art show in Ocean Reef, FL, hosted by my friend Kathie Lee. It was an amazing time, and our location was just gorgeous. I was able to spend time journaling and reflecting on the way God is revealing Himself to me. One early morning (5:00 a.m. oof!) I began journaling in the middle of a storm. All around me the rain was pouring, the thunder was pounding, and the lightning was striking disconcertingly close to home. Between the flashes and claps, however, there were pauses of peace and calm. As I was sharing about my recent time in Israel, I wrote about the cleansing and purifying power of. It was a precious life source to the Israelites. As the rains came down, and I thought back to what I had learned about the water cleansing God’s people in the desert, I meditated on my desire to live a pure, cleansed life, free from storms. Unfortunately, though, storms do happen, and more often than not, they pop up suddenly and without warning. The night before this strong gale, I stood on the water’s edge absorbing the most brilliant sunset, painted with God’s brushstrokes dipped in magnificent shades of pink, watching in awe as the sun dipped into the horizon. Not a thought was in our minds as we went to bed that we may wake up to the chaos of a scary storm. How equipped am I to weather these storms? How prepared am I for the onslaught or winds and rain that is surely coming without warning? Certainly there are little squalls that cross our path – soaking showers that give way to rainbows and brilliant sunlight. There are also those slow, gray drizzles that seem to settle in and saturate our spirits longer than they’re welcome. There are still others that erode our hearts with their vicious violence and ferocity. In any case, I want to be prepared and equipped… I want to fortify the banks of my heart, so that it will stay planted and not washed away. God promised me, just as He promised Noah, that undoubtedly, no matter the intensity of the storm, He will cause the sun to appear. He will stop the rain and silence the thunderous claps. He will push the clouds apart and reveal His peace and assurance over my life, if only I will cling to the hope He gives us in Jesus, and the hope He spells out for us in His word. When I cling, He quiets. The storms are momentary, but His love and grace for me are eternal.