Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Storm Living

Suggested Reading: Matthew 7:1-25

Rain poured down, the river flooded,
a tornado hit—but nothing moved
that house. It was fixed to the rock.

Matthew 7:25 (The Message)

During one of my most difficult moments I met Elizabeth. She was waging a battle against a powerful hurricane, cancer. Her story and the hard work she was doing to simply LIVE reeked havoc on my pity party. I never heard her complain or question God’s purpose. In order to not be destroyed, Elizabeth faithfully followed the blueprints that would keep her living.

The Bible is consistent with this message—a Jesus follower can be guaranteed some foul weather. It isn’t a pleasant truth, but there it is. In my own life I have found it to be a consistently uncomfortable fact. It seems as though I just get through one “rain” storm and a “tornado” whirls in. It is at these times that meeting people, who are dealing with “hurricanes”, provide a perspective.

Being in community with fellow Jesus followers is essential during foul weather. It is impossible to survive on one’s own. It’s the same in the life of a Jesus follower. The strength we need to live through a storm comes with the help from other followers. Their stories of endurance remind us that there is life after a “flood.”

Meeting a Jesus follower who has built their life on the Rock is like knowing a master builder. Having been intimately acquainted with the Master’s blueprints they know what is necessary to not just build, but maintain the structure and it is this wisdom that helps us be fixed to the rock as well.

Thought for the day: Who are the people who help you live through storms?

Jesus, you have promised life, even after a hurricane.
Help me to know you so well that I am fixed to the rock.
Amen.
http://yahyasheikho786.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/global-warming-fatalism-will-of-god-indonesia-matters/

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