Eye of the Storm

 

A good friend had a prayer picture during a time of prayer in Bible study. She was shown a tornado, swirling and wild, throwing all sorts of precious people and things round and round chaotically. The tornado was not hovering across the land but rather was ploughing through layers of ground: first through a man-made layer of concrete/tarmac, then reaching another level which was arid and lifeless, like a desert, and finally it went deep enough to reach fertile soil. The tornado was not stationary; it was moving forward in a definite direction.

Chaos and speed characterise our world these days, and many of our lives. I am so encouraged to be assured by the Lord that although things feel out of control – that relationships might be tense, finances tough, the future uncertain – God is limiting the size of the tornado and it is moving according to his guidance. He has purpose in drilling through the man-made traditions and customs which harden our hearts and stifle our souls. He has compassion in cutting through the layer of disappointment and grief which can leave us feeling empty and despairing.

I am also reminded that in every tornado there is an eye, a still, calm space of peace. In the eye of the storm, we can rest and be renewed and refreshed and reassured: as we remain and abide in Jesus, we can rest in that eye of the storm and even if we don’t feel we’ve gained much perspective, we learn to trust. To trust in the One who is the way, and the truth and the life.

Jesus will reach that fertile soil, the fertile soil in each of our lives. Again, we will rest beside streams of living water. Again, the living water will flow through us, so that we bear fruit for the Kingdom.

I am so grateful for his love, for his guidance, and for the way he uses us as believers to encourage one another as we hear his voice expressing his love in many creative ways.

Praise the name of Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.