Stillness in the Storms

Stillness always comes after storms; if we're lucky, sometimes it comes in the middle, sometimes before, but silence always comes. Keep still and know God is God.

How about those days when time stands still? Perhaps it's not for an entire day, and yet, hours go by, and you realize the quiet and wonder, “what should I be doing or thinking or acting on at this moment?” Why is it so difficult to enjoy the stillness of our lives? What if this stillness exists for the moments of need? We experience it, but we can take no credit for it. It has nothing to do with us. Often we combat it, not allowing it to bathe us in its peace. The stillness recognizes this peace, and therefore it is purposeful. What will you do with this moment, this gift of silence?

Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.

I pray for stillness in these times of chaos and many blessing to all those in current storms, whether actual or internal. Praying for you to know He is King of the flood, and you can soar with Him above the storm, knowing He is God.

May God Bless you, Oklahoma, May 2013, May God bless you, New Jersey Sandy October 2012, May God Bless you NYC 9/11...

The storms come, and they pass, leaving collateral damage. God never leaves us in the rain. We are quick to notice the devastation when experiencing chaos. We feel its immediacy; we ache for it to stop swirling about, sometimes to no end. It may be difficult in these storms to realize He is lifting you, drawing you closer to Him.

In this life, there will be pain and, yes, even devastation. However, this is not our home. This life is not our end; however, it is a storm that has an ending in its entirety. This ending is in peaceful reconciliation with Christ our King.

There is a movie called Sweet Home, Alabama. In this movie, it is by the lightning strikes that such beautiful glass artwork.

This couple breaks from the mishaps of life. They wear down from the lacking of the luster that is a relationship. They fell away from the polish of their relationship. Giving way to human wants and wishes, forgetting what they have been all they need. They seem lost and don't even know it. Angry, and they don't understand why. The storms of life are purposeful; they break us down and make us look at the big picture: the whole story and the stories yet to come. God uses everything.

The brokenness of a relationship is where things get the stillest. As tricky as the storms may be, they are necessary for our growth. We are smooth when things present well. Nothing seems bumpy, so we take things for granted. Suppose the bumps along the way happen for a reason? When there is a pothole in a road, a work crew comes to repair it. Often it takes time for it to arrive. The time for repair is not for us to decide. To believe His timing is perfect even amid brutal storms, but if these storms never came, would our focus always be where it should? Is it easier not to look at the broken places? How do we know it is not about us if we break enough to know just that?

We talk about our broken places, and they stink; however, is it not there in those places we seek everything? Do we appreciate the movie ending because it was a smooth sail, or because they have the ah-huh moment where they get it and learn and grow from it? Isn't the joy of figuring out that we don't know everything about anyone until we go to Him first?

God is extraordinary that way; after our storms, sometimes during them, He gives us moments of stillness. In these moments, we meet Him face to face; He lets the quiet envelop our minds and heart. He holds us still in contemplation, then sets us out into the chaos, only better equipped.

When we forget He is our everything, He reminds us. HE IS!

Yes, a relationship is everything. A link starts with the faithful innocence, trusting in that safety of simplicity. Then lightning strikes, and we forget God can make beauty from anything and nothing. When lightning strikes in this movie, it's turned into fantastic glassworks. Are we not all a piece of glass in the eyes of God? Even if we break, is it not true He can put us back together again? Never let go; we say it in our families, friendship, and marriages, yet we drop one another, allowing another shatter to happen.

Don't you see He is everything, picks you up, has you in a relationship, kisses you anytime He wants? He is your everything, and every once in a while, He lets you get a glimpse of Him in your contacts here on earth. If you let go of Him, He holds you tighter.

Maybe it's time to see God in everyone and everything. Perhaps it's time to hold on tighter to our relationships, working hard to make them everything for God. We need to live for Him and pick up the pieces together. We can create some beautiful artwork out of the lightning strikes in our lives. If we remember, He is everything. Yes, a relationship is everything.

A link starts with the faithful innocence, trusting in that safety of simplicity. Then lightning strikes, and we forget God can make beauty from anything and nothing. When lightning strikes in this movie, it's turned into fantastic glassworks. Are we not all a piece of glass in the eyes of God? Even if we break, is it not true He can put us back together again? Never let go; we say it in our families, friendship, and marriages, yet we drop one another, allowing another shatter to happen.

Thank you for the storm and the lessons learned.

Keep me healthy and be my focal point for every lightning strike.

Encourage me to know and feel that every strike comes to a beautiful work of art in you.

Use me for your great design and keep me still, so I may see and hear your whispers in the chaos.

Help me trust in You and Your timing for my repair.

Help me meet You in my broken places, for You are the glue I need at all times.

Help me praise You in the storms, as you know all that is for me, and You will do no harm, but bring me closer to You in the stillness.

Help me allow it all and not give in to the things of this world, for there is no fear with you.

Could you help me hear from you in the rain?

Help me always to remember You are and will still be my EVERYTHING and in You are all I need.

You, Father, are the stillness in my storms.

None of us knows when the storms will come, or how long they will last. The damage will be recognizable, but we have a God who controls our repair.

All we know is that in Christ alone, our hope is alive. Meet Him in the stillness, quiet yourself long enough for Him to speak to you. Be still a little longer; you will hear Him and not everything else.

He is there; He is your everything!