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| Photo by: Nikolas Noonan |
After a natural storm subsides, there is always a cleanup process. The
same is true in life, in circumstances that seem as tumultuous as tornadoes.
Much like the force of destructive cyclones, we have been through whirlwinds of
hardships, heartaches, death, grief, and devastating loss that has broken lives
and scattered debris. With our houses obliterated, our trees uprooted,
our lives upended, we sit in the eerie silence that follows trying to
regain some semblance of control. We take a deep breath, put on our tall,
rubber boots, and begin sifting through the muddy gunk left behind.
Within days, and sometimes even within hours, we find the clouds have moved
out, and the sun is shining on the remaining vegetation generously watered by
the drenching rain allowing spurts of new growth. The birds are chirping,
and a new life begins.
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan, the 10th most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded,
swept through the land and the river rose to flood my home with nearly 6 ft of
water. Everything destroyed. I remember thinking, this is how total devastation feels.
Then, as quickly as the waters rose, they began to recede. Life seemed to continue
for others while I was left behind trying to salvage anything of
value. During that time, though, I was able to see that God does restore.
In a little while, I was living in a new, nicer place, driving a new vehicle, mothering
a sweet newborn baby, and reporting every morning to a new job that came with a
raise and a promotion.
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| Photo by: Alexander Shustov |
God does allow storms to come to break up those things in our lives that keep
us from progressing. We become stronger, wiser. We learn to place a
priority on the truly valuable things in our lives that we often take for
granted. Sometimes, the storms even force us to make a move out of our
comfort zone, redirect our path, and birth something new. Most
importantly, trials come to sweep away the wicked in our lives, in ourselves, enabling us to soar higher free from the weight of what we
leave behind.
So, be of good cheer and cling to God's promise in Isaiah 43:2:
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you."
At the end of the day, the waters will not overtake us. The fire will not
destroy us, but rather we will emerge purified.
The wicked in our lives is gone and we stand firm--we stand RIGHTEOUS.
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