I woke up this morning to some nasty weather. Dark and stormy, I could hear rain pelting windows, wind howling through trees, and I wondered about the coming severity of the morning hours. Knowing the unpredictable weather was heading our way, I had slept on the couch with the television on. Staying awake to keep an eye on the weather is something my family long ago accepted about me, but I didn’t feel nervous about this storm as I often do. I was remarkably relaxed and missed most of the news updates because I was fast asleep.
When I finally stirred at the sound of the morning wind, I opened my eyes and focused on the screen to hear the latest news report. A few seconds later, my brain registered that the TV was no longer on. Strange. I didn’t turn it off, but that screen was dark and there was no sound. I suppose the storm had taken out the cable. I sighed and closed my eyes as I reached for my phone to get a quick weather update… then opened my eyes again. Three hours had gone by. I had fallen asleep while reaching for my phone and, as I slipped into stillness, I had missed the storm completely.
During this pandemic, I often feel that I am waking to some stormy nastiness. News of the virus pelts us and death howls as we wonder how severe this is going to get. Everything appears unpredictable, and there are times when I just want to sleep with one eye on the news. Those are the moments when I sigh, close my eyes in prayer, and reach for my phone… not for news, but for scripture which relaxes me in remarkable ways and allows me to sleep at night. When I am immersed in God’s Word, the tough stretches no longer hold my attention and I tend to miss life’s storms completely.
Oh, the storms still happen, but my heart is focused on a bigger picture – one that is painted with strong strokes of Love and dappled with brilliant and powerful Light.
Moses faced a huge storm of sorts as he led the Israelites out of Egypt. The people complained that they had no food, no land, no future in sight, and they were being pursued by Pharaoh. Moses offered reassurance: “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” (Exodus 14:14, NRSV)
Only have to keep still. Only have to slip into the silence and allow Jesus to be at work fighting for me, quieting my storms, and completing God's plan for my life.
Holy God, all praise and honor to you who fights for us. Help us to be still and accept your Love and your Light. When storms pursue us, may we find the strength to relax in your peace. Amen.
When I finally stirred at the sound of the morning wind, I opened my eyes and focused on the screen to hear the latest news report. A few seconds later, my brain registered that the TV was no longer on. Strange. I didn’t turn it off, but that screen was dark and there was no sound. I suppose the storm had taken out the cable. I sighed and closed my eyes as I reached for my phone to get a quick weather update… then opened my eyes again. Three hours had gone by. I had fallen asleep while reaching for my phone and, as I slipped into stillness, I had missed the storm completely.
During this pandemic, I often feel that I am waking to some stormy nastiness. News of the virus pelts us and death howls as we wonder how severe this is going to get. Everything appears unpredictable, and there are times when I just want to sleep with one eye on the news. Those are the moments when I sigh, close my eyes in prayer, and reach for my phone… not for news, but for scripture which relaxes me in remarkable ways and allows me to sleep at night. When I am immersed in God’s Word, the tough stretches no longer hold my attention and I tend to miss life’s storms completely.
Oh, the storms still happen, but my heart is focused on a bigger picture – one that is painted with strong strokes of Love and dappled with brilliant and powerful Light.
Moses faced a huge storm of sorts as he led the Israelites out of Egypt. The people complained that they had no food, no land, no future in sight, and they were being pursued by Pharaoh. Moses offered reassurance: “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” (Exodus 14:14, NRSV)
Only have to keep still. Only have to slip into the silence and allow Jesus to be at work fighting for me, quieting my storms, and completing God's plan for my life.
Holy God, all praise and honor to you who fights for us. Help us to be still and accept your Love and your Light. When storms pursue us, may we find the strength to relax in your peace. Amen.
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