Life's Storms

I Kings 19:11-12
"Go out and stand on the mountain," the LORD replied. "I want you to see me when I pass by."

All at once, a strong wind shook the mountain and shattered the rocks. But the LORD was not in the wind. Next, there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 Then there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. Finally, there was a gentle breeze...

The recent storms, tsunamis, tornadoes, and earthquakes have been unsettling to some and tragic and life changing to many. We are caught up in an extreme weather pattern that has most of us looking to the skies in wonder and fear. Some voice the question, others just ponder if there is meaning to the storms, is God trying to speak to us? Have we finally pissed Him off, is this His way of thumping us on the back of the head, getting our attention? Others dismiss all the Christian laments and spiritual chatter and simply see it as just a cyclical severe weathern pattern. No prayer needed, just listen for the sirens and get to the basement people. They don't understand what all the praying is all about and do not equate the winds and quakes with God, only atmospheric and geological occurrences in nature. They deal with their fears in other ways and look in condescenion on the Christian murmurings. However you approach the magnificence and power of this natural world around us, no one can argue that there is nothing we can do to control or influence the awesome authority of the storms when they come in our lives. They come whether we are Christians, Jews, saved, unsaved, believer, nonbeliever, they come. They shake, shatter, move, wash away and we can do little other than run to our basements, caves, shelters, to seek safety and help. Is there something to fear in the storm? Until you have actually experienced the depth of emotions that accompany losing life, home, health, and property as the result of a storm or an act of nature, you may never understand the impact to the spirit of the person on the receiving end of this type of tragedy. In I Kings 19:11-12, God sent the prophet Elijah to stand on a mountain in the midst of a terrible storm. In my spirit I believe He wanted him to see that this storm is not where the true danger lies. God wants us to know that the wind, rain, tremors and terrors of this natural world are not His way to torture or terrify us. The storms are a way for us to see how strong we can be when we dwell in Him. For those who stand and persevere, after the storm there is a small voice to teach, lead and guide us to where God wants us to be in our lives. Don't be afraid of the wind, be like the willow and bend, don't fear the rain, let it wash all pain and disappointment of this world away, if the earth opens up and hail falls from the sky, step forward and stand on the solid ground of Christ. Neither hail, nor Hell can separate us. There is something waiting at the end of the storm that we must reach, don't give up, or be afraid, just pray and listen, there is a voice waiting to heal and lead you home.

Written by Madeline Jackson