Pastor’s Corner: “It’s a Jungle Out There”
Psalm 46:1 (AMP) – God the Refuge of His People – God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He feverishly prayed for God’s rescue, but with every day that passed, his hope weakened. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. Everything was lost. Stunned with grief and anger, the man cried, “God, how could you do this to me!” The next morning, he woke to the sound of a ship approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” the weary man asked. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
Storms are for our good. When a storm hits, we usually look for the nearest exit, hoping to escape the high winds. I am more than willing to give up my seat in a rocking boat in exchange for tranquil waters and blue skies. I don’t like pain. I dread uncertain times. Psalm 57:1 (NRSV) – 1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. More than Hurricane Hannah, this year has been one big storm.
When life spirals out of control, we often withdraw from friends and family in an attempt to hide. Stress can paralyze us and make it difficult to function normally. Small tasks become huge mountains as the clouds gather and the winds pick up speed. To think that storms are for our good is a stretch to say the least. I know you have repeatedly heard and have been taught (by me and others) the truth that we are strengthened by our storms. You might be at the point where you feel like you will explode if one more person told you to praise God for your storms or you might be saying there are just too many storms, I can’t handle any more bad news! In looking back at my life, there is absolutely no doubt that my greatest growth has come during my most fierce life storms. Each storm has become a spiritual marker, a testament to the sufficiency and faithfulness of God. It is from those markers that a powerful life is shaped and molded.
Because of the quantity, scale and frequency of storms and trouble we have experienced this year, it leads me to trust and believe that God has us on the edge of a great time of growth, multiplication and harvest for the gospel in our nation! Esther 4:14 – This verse is talking about when a woman in the Bible named Esther was told that “you were born for such a time as this” and in your life, you can make a difference where God has placed you (paraphrased). You may not see the opportunity now, but if you stay willing and open to His calling, you will find so much fulfillment in His plans, especially in the storm! You were born for such a time as this. This moment in time. This stage of life.
Storms will come. Storms are a reality of life. We will either become storm survivors or storm statistics. The choice really is ours to make. We can stop telling God how big our storm is and start telling the storm just how big our God is. The key to enduring storms is to embrace each one that comes, knowing it contains and can yield a seed of victory. Remember, endurance is never passive. It is the picture of a soldier staying in the heat of the battle under terrible opposition but still pressing forward to gain the victory!
Let’s Pray – Father, give use new eyes to see Your hand at work in the midst of our life storms. We surrender our fear and disbelief to the certainty of Your truth. We choose to trust You even when we don’t understand. Through the power of Holy Spirit, we ask that You strengthen us for whatever tomorrow holds and help us to remember that tomorrow is in Your hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton