We are a very blessed community indeed. We are not without problems, tensions, issues, etc., but I am so proud of the way we have handled recent racial tensions and the obvious power of our united prayers and actions for the overall protection of our community from Irma. 

I know that when you are personally touched by tragedy or even the inconvenience of storm damage, it is much more of a challenge to place our cares and concerns in the hands of our loving heavenly Father. When we don’t understand, when we wonder “why me?” or “why my loved ones?”, that is when we must trust God.

I think one of the things that has helped me most to do that is the deepening reality of eternity. I am realizing more and more just how fragile and temporary life on planet Earth really is. As I stated recently, I have been through some personal challenges with my health this year after living most of my life very healthy. I am continually reminding myself that no matter what I am experiencing, it is only temporary. While I would never put myself in the same category as the apostle Paul, who called all of what he went through for the gospel “these temporary light afflictions.” Shipwrecked, stoned to death (then raised up), beaten with rods more than once, falsely accused and jail time, is not what I would call “light”! (see 2 Corinthians  4:8-18; 11:22-33) 

One of the things I heard many believers praying concerning Irma was “peace, be still.” That is what Jesus said to the storm He and His disciples were experiencing. But I think it is more than just speaking to the storm itself. I think it is also speaking to our own person, commanding our own soul to be at peace in the midst of the storm. Like the disciples, many were experiencing so much fear that they could not find that place of peace as Irma made its way north. That kind of peace is supernatural and given to us as a gift from the Lord, but it is every bit as real as the torment that comes from fear. 

Hebrews 4:11 exhorts us to “labor to enter into the rest” that God has promised us. In other words, there is a part that we are to play, to see His rest become ours by experience. Part of that is daily focusing on the faithfulness of God, rehearsing the times where the Lord has shown Himself strong on our behalf. We must keep “our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” 

When we look at our natural circumstances, it would be easy to do just like Peter, when he ventured out of the boat, to walk to Jesus on the water. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he was on top of the waves. But the moment he began to look around (at the actual circumstances), his mind engaged, fear re-entered and down he went. Thankfully, he did cry out to Jesus and of course Jesus raised him up and sustained him until they were back in the boat.

It would be pure fantasy to think that we can go through life without any storms. I think the scriptures portray most of the individuals mentioned meeting with different kinds of storms in their lives. I noticed in Jesus’ teaching about building on a solid foundation (Luke 6:46-49) that it was not a question of “if” there would be storms but rather “when” they come. 

Are we building our lives on sand (those who do not listen and obey His teachings) or are we building it upon the rock (those who listen and obey His teachings)? Storms of all kinds, both literal (Irma) and otherwise (health crises, emotional crises, marriage issues, job related problems, etc.) will come to all of us at one time or another. I want to have my life (house) built upon the solid Rock (Jesus) because “all other ground is sinking sand.”