This is a season for storms. Literally and figuratively. Spring is notorious for producing everything from cool refreshing showers to devastating tornadoes, especially in the South.
In the spirit, there has also been in recent days a recurring theme of storms in everything from sermons to songs to dreams. This should come as no surprise with our nation and its people being in the state they are in, economically, politically, socially, and spiritually.
On a personal level, sometimes these storms are nothing more than little squalls, more of a nuisance than anything causing substantial damage. Other times, the storm comes with such ferocity as to rip apart everything we know and believe right down to the very foundation.
As we face a couple of personal storms right now, one job-related and one in the ministry we are a part of, I received hope and reassurance earlier this morning as I was getting ready for church. It came in the form of aged lyrics to two songs (arranged in a medley) that have withstood the ravages of time. The message to me came clearly as I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me and whisper, "This is for you."
As a confessed and recovering control freak, I have been wrestling within myself about what to do about these storms. I popped a Selah CD into the player, and I was greeted with a timely encounter with Jesus. He can and will meet us anywhere and anytime, even while we are applying mascara.
These are the words that I had to replay again and again as they brought me hope, reassurance, and a gentle rebuke for trying to navigate the storms in my own wisdom and strength, not releasing them over to the One who has the capability to calm both the storm and His child.
My prayer today is that you, too, will find comfort and hope as I have, in the face of whatever storms you encounter, through these timeless words:
Be still my soul,
The Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God To order and provide
In every change, He faithful will remain
Be still my soul, Your best, your Heavenly Friend
Through stormy waves leads to a joyful end.
Oh, be still my soul
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
The Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God To order and provide
In every change, He faithful will remain
Be still my soul, Your best, your Heavenly Friend
Through stormy waves leads to a joyful end.
Oh, be still my soul
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Selah.
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