The Forecast
We have been watching and anxiously waiting for this storm for a week. Weather forecasters said it was going to be catastrophic. As I type these words, the wind has just started to stir the trees. The rain hasn’t started yet, but we know it will come. As the newscasters were commenting on the possibilities of the storm, I grew more anxious. When they started forecasting the storm, the path was coming right for me. Do I stay or do I go? But as I began to prepare, I felt more at peace with my decision to stay. The line is still uncertain. God is the only one who knows the path this storm will take. Rain and wind will come – that much is certain – it’s just a matter of how much. It’s a big storm and nowhere in this state will remain dry.
In the past, I have had leaks in the bathroom vent and in the front bedroom windows. My garage door also has areas the water flows through. The rain has to be at the right angles for these places to leak. I think I have fixed each place, but with the forecasted rain I’ll see how well the fix holds. I have prepared the best I could. I searched out bottled water, batteries and gasoline for the car. I happened to be at the right place at the right time to get those items I needed without too much waiting. Timing is everything, right? And the praying is nonstop. I have wanted to see God’s power again – I asked for it in last week’s blog posting. Do it again – that’s what I wrote. But a hurricane is not what I had in mind.
I asked God to send the storm to the middle of the ocean. God has allowed this storm to move closer. I asked God to calm the winds. This morning the hurricane is now a Category 2; down from a Cat 4. Thank you Lord! I have asked for God’s protection during this storm. He’s done that before. We had a tornado to rip through my neighborhood seven and half years ago. It was like God’s hand was placed over my house. I had very little damage where the rest of the neighborhood homes had some significant damage. Don’t get me wrong, this is not to say my prayers were better than my neighbors. I’m just saying God protected me in the storm. This is His house and if He wants to destroy it, then so be it.
There were other times when hurricanes have blown through my state. Every time, I have been outside of its devastating effects. When Fran blew through my city a little over twenty years ago, I was living elsewhere. Hugo had an impact on Charlotte a year before I moved to that city. Then there was Floyd and Matthew again hitting in places where I was not located. God has watched over me – not because of my goodness, but because of His. It has nothing to do with me. It’s just timing is everything.
I look to Him when I get anxious and wait for His timing. I never move until He tells me to go. Some say I need to just move and God will go with me. But I believe God’s ways are best. If He wants me somewhere specific, then I know He will get me there at just the right time. It’s not because of who I am, but because of whose I am. God has told us in Scripture – He will never leave us or forsake us – and I believe His Word. I believe Jesus can calm the storm – He’s done it before and I believe He can do it again. I don’t doubt that He can calm a storm; but it’s a matter of if He will.
As the tornado blew through the neighborhood, I was crotched in my closet praying on my knees to keep me safe. And He did. When I got up, my knees were shaky. I looked out my windows and saw trees down, but not a one on my house. God is infinitely powerful and deeply personal. I believe it. I have witnessed His hand of protection. And I believe He will do it again. But if He does not, His ways are best and I trust Him with everything. I am at peace.
My knees may shake when the wind drives the rain into my vulnerable places, but God is always with me. I can always lean upon Him – not because of who I am, but because of whose I am. You can lean upon Him too. He is infinitely powerful and deeply personal. Believe it and watch Him at work through your storm too. He is forecasted to be for us and not against us. That’s the path we can count on!
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s get in a boat and go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set sail. Soon Jesus fell asleep. The wind rose, and the fierce wind became a violent squall that threatened to swamp their boat. So the disciples woke Jesus up and said, “Master, Master, we’re sinking! Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
With great authority Jesus rebuked the howling wind and surging waves, and instantly they stopped and became as smooth as glass. Then Jesus said to them, “Why are you fearful? Have you lost your faith in me?”
Shocked and shaken, they said with amazement to one another, “Who is this man who has authority over winds and waves that they obey him?” Luke 8:23-25 (TPT)
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