In The Eye Of The Storm

Last week we had a hurricane in South Florida.  It was my families first experience with a hurricane.  To say it was exciting and terrifying would be an understatement.  The category 4 hurricane was headed our direction and so we prepared. 

We were ready for days without power and water.  We stocked our pantry with nonperishable foods such as canned fruit, beef jerky, trail mix and lots of supplies for PB & J’s.  The most important supply we purchased according to our son, FLASHLIGHTS!

Evan is not afraid of the dark, but being stuck in a violent storm in the dark is a whole other thing.   We made the prospect of being in the dark fun, telling him we would play flashlight tag when it got really dark.  He was definitely down for a game that involved flashlights.

Well, we got lucky and the storm passed us by.  Other than some above average winds and rain, the hurricane was a non-event and my husband and I were grateful.  We knew others in the world were not as fortunate, so we did not take this lightly.  As we were counting our blessings, or son was disappointed.  He never got to play flashlight tag.

As parents we learn to master making a bad situation look good, so our children do not feel the weight of our circumstances.  As Christians we have to be careful to not do the same thing. 

Playing in the dark as a Christian is an entirely different game.  When we spend time in the dark, as stated in 1 John 1:5-10, we have no fellowship with one another or with God.  The dark is where we go to hide our sin.  God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.  We cannot be hiding sin and be around God. 

So what do we do?  Admit our sin.  God is not waiting around to shame us, he wants to cover us with his love, but not admitting our sin keeps his love from penetrating our brokenness and healing us of what drives us to sin.  If you are hiding in darkness trying to keep your sins a secret, stop playing games and give it to God.  He knows how to protect you from the storm.

Read today's Scripture here

The Storm in Jonah's Heart

Unconfessed sin causes unrest at best. At worst, it is possible for horrific storms to result. Did you ever notice how a misdeed, once committed, seems to gain momentum as it rolls through our lives? 

Wrong actions and disobedience evoke consequences untold. We know that sex outside marriage can change lives forever. We understand that drinking and driving kills and imprisons, yet we do it anyway.

Jonah 1:12 (MSG)
Jonah said, "Throw me overboard, into the sea. Then the storm will stop. It's all my fault. I'm the cause of the storm. Get rid of me and you'll get rid of the storm."

Disobedience not only hurts us, but often devastates those in our path as well. The story of Jonah is fascinating to study. Jonah was a prophet, but he closed his heart to God's instructions. Jonah was running from God's will; he wasn't keen on the idea of going to Nineveh to share God's warning with the people, telling them to change and repent.

It is interesting to note how God used this situation for His glory. Jonah's shipmates were pagan, but they had heard of Jonah's God and spoke as if in awe of Him. I would suspect they may have become believers once they tossed Jonah overboard and the seas suddenly calmed.

As Priscilla Shire writes in her study of Jonah, "The storm created by Jonah's rebellion was the perfect backdrop for them to meet the one true God, the One who governed the sea.

This story is a prime example of God redeeming a wrong and making it work for good. It is a reminder for each of us that God loves us and is waiting for us to love Him back. He is waiting for us to submit and cry out, “pick me up and throw me into the sea.” He is waiting for us to surrender our will to His.

We are not destined to be the one that got away.
Jonah 1:8-17

2 Corinthians 4:1, 5-12, 16-18

Living Well in a Broken World

I remember when my parents passed away. They left us only five months apart, and it was a very difficult time. There were many other things going on in life at the same time. We were raising our four children, one having a significant disability. I was working full time and my husband was managing a business which demanded extensive hours away and much computer time when he was home. His parents were aging as well, and our young twins were diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Many days were very overwhelming and it seemed as though we were on our own to fight off the storms of life. Had we known then what we know now, it would have made things a bit easier to handle. Perhaps no lighter on the heart, but with biblical perspective we could have seen the purpose of our challenges more clearly. I trust you too have been in situations when looking at things from God’s viewpoint would have, or perhaps did ease the pain.

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  

2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Our trials are nothing compared to what Jesus endured for us.

Though some days seem unbearable, we will be alright.

Yes this world brings heartache and pain, but it will end and be glorious beyond imagine.

What is real and devastating now, will seem trivial when everything is all said and done.

Though this world wears us down, and our bodies weaken, when we lift our eyes to the Lord we are refreshed and strengthened. He is there for us with a promise of eternal peace.

Listen to Tenth Avenue North: “Worn”

Read/Listen to 2 Corinthians 4: 1
                       2 Corinthians 4: 7-18