Respecting The Storm

Respecting the Storm

My city became the hub for victims of Hurricane Katrina when thousands of evacuees from Louisiana and Mississippi came to Houston for refuge. Many lost all that they had and came here looking to build new lives after that devastating storm. On the heels of Katrina, another storm gathered steam off the Texas Gulf Coast—and no one took it lightly. Stores were stripped of bottled water, batteries, and other items needed to prepare for and ride out a storm. Storm number two got more respect because of storm number one.

We’re “show me” people, aren’t we? We place great confidence in our own invincibility and in the resources we’ve amassed to make ourselves safe and comfortable. We believe in windows and walls and wheels, in ATMs and gasoline pumps and groceries. And until those things prove vulnerable, we keep on believing. But after one spectacular demonstration of the forces of nature, we’re learning to respect the storm. Even so, I wonder how many millions are still denying the power of the storm’s Maker?

Physical lives can be rebuilt. Spiritual lives must be rebirthed. We deny at our own peril the presence and power of the God who rides above the wind. He may appear indifferent, but he is not. He may seem removed from our insulated, day-to-day existence, but he is not. We may question whether he cares for us or sees our plight, but that question was answered once for all with the terrible death and glorious resurrection of his only Son.

His ways are beyond our scrutiny and far, far above our understanding. We are not as independent as we pretend. We need him more—much more—than we let on. And if we think that we will somehow stand against the winds of sin and the floodwaters of judgment without him, then we’ve simply failed to show him the fear, awe, and respect that is his due.

Physical storms teach a lesson about greater, invisible things: we are small and weak and lost and hopeless, no matter how well insulated we feel. And the only sure way to safety is to respect the one who commands every storm and to trust him to deliver us from what we cannot hope to conquer without him.

Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.

Jonah 2:8, NIV