Storms in Life (part 1 of 3)

Storms Happen

I have been though some major storms … I’ve faced hurricanes in Louisiana. I’ve watched tornadoes lift and overturn 18-wheelers on the James River Bridge in front of me … and hop over my house to shred the tops of pine trees with in a stone’s throw. I’ve been witness to flash-floods that wash cars away on the Texas highways. I’ve watched hail splinter my windshield, snow court my FJ and hide the road before me. I’ve hiked in ice storms and had lightning hit mere yards on the mountain top of Old Rag.

But the storms which nature can throw at us are mere moments in the wind compared to the storms life itself thrusts into the path of each of us … cancer, broken dreams, disappointments, betrayal. These are but a few on the long list that cling to the strongest and the weakest of humanity.

This past week, a storm hit the church where my son works as a Project Manager. A straight line wind tore out an entire wall that was on the balcony of the large sanctuary.

More wind and storm damage was all over the facility. Leaks. Water damage. Trees toppled. Trash spewed everywhere.

Scores of contractors began to work. Hundreds of volunteers descended and cleaned, pruned, and most importantly … set up for worship. The sanctuary was not to be occupied, but there was the lobby, the gym, youth room, and any space … used … then came Sunday and people praised and sang and would not let the storm of life – physical or spiritual – get them down. Paul and Silas were in prison – what a storm. Yet what did they do … whine, bicker, complain? NO. They sang hymns and praises. They worshipped.

This weekend, my wife and I drove to Dallas/Fort Worth. My son and the fam there were being hit by a storm. Not just the storm that hit the church, but sickness, a 6-week old with issues, a dad with extreme work demands, a mom of two who could use a hand … well, life. We hope to help during this storm. (maybe we just tried to calm the guilt we feel for being so far away)

We could do very little, but we hoped to offer love and support, we hoped to let them know they were not alone. We also got some great grandparent time in. And this was something my wife reallllllllyyyy wanted.

Matt Chandler recently released a book, The Overcomers: God’s Vision for You to Thrive in an Age of Anxiety and Outrage. He runs through the book of Revelation and shares the powerful principle that God is at work and He is working in and through you. You have it you to be an overcomer through any storm.

An Overcomer is a believer, propelled by scriptural truths,
empowered by the word of Jesus,
and encouraged by those who have gone before them.
With open eyes to deeper spiritual realities, the one who overcomes endures the brokenness of the world with holy resolve. This individual, marked by love and through the power of the Holy Spirit, joined in God’s offensive against darkness and destruction. The Overcomer unites with the triune God and His holy church to stand as an unwavering, unanxious presence. Bluntly put, the Overcomes a major problem to the enemy. (Chandler, Overcomer, xi)

It kind of how we approach the storms.

Here is an unusual story on how we approach storms … I went to several Universities and Seminaries. At the one in the little town of Wake Forest, the institution was in a transition between seminary presidents. It was also a transition that was coming out of the work of the Conservative Resurgence … a time where Baptist took serious the role of those who took and didn’t take serious the authority and power of God’s Word.

The outgoing president, not liking the direction the more conservative Trustees were taking the institution, was in a storm. Now, here is a weird twist. Each president has a presidential portrait. The outgoing president had his portrait changed … he added storm clouds in the background. He saw the storms and mocked it. What would happen if he would have focused on God and what would honor God?

How do we view the storms? What can we glean from them? How can we be an Overcomer?

Bottom line …

• Storms happen (physical, spiritual, relational)
• You are not alone (God is with His children, We are with each other)
• We can be Overcomers

We can be Overcomers. Storms are not the last Word.

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Part 2 … A Storm changes someones direction.