The Storm!

I stood in the midst of a mountain valley watching a gathering storm. As I observed the clouds billowing up God began to speak to me about the storms of our lives.

There are times in our lives when we see the storm brewing on the horizon. We realize that we cannot hold it back. Some of these storms will turn out to be just passing showers. Others will come hard and heavy. Those are the days we will wonder if we are going to make it or not.

How we survive them depends on how we much we have prepared ourselves to handle them. Out in the middle of the storm we will get wet and wind blown. It will be tough to speak and even catch your breath. That is the moment we wonder, “Where is Jesus?” We think he should have protected us from the storm. At least He could have provided shelter. In the midst of praying we hear His voce calling to us from the heart of the storm! “I am here. I am standing with you. Lean on my strength. Trust in me.” He is holding out his hand. Faith grasps it and holds on tightly as the rain pounds down and the hail bounces off of you.

When the storm comes, it blots out the sun, but does that mean the sun is not there? Of course not. So when we are wet, cold, wind blown and beaten up by the storms of life, it does not mean that Jesus is not there. It means he is teaching us about life, about God and about faith. He has a greater purpose than just keeping us dry, safe and warm.