In the middle of the storm, you are the peace
In the middle of the desert, you are my strength
In the middle of my mess, you wash my feet
In the middle of it all, you never leave
Last night as the cold front blew in, I was reminded of the Lord’s might that was displayed in the night sky. As I was enjoying the brisk breeze freely rushing into my car a familiar, yet forgotten truth flooded my soul; you’re closer than the air I breathe, you’re invading my space, closer than the skin on my broken frame. This truth was prompted by “How Great is Our God” being played on the radio, while simultaneously being captivated by the amount of stars in the sky. Now, I was not alive, or even thought of for that matter when Moses parted the Red Sea, but last night I have to believe that God parted the storm to teach me an often forgotten truth he longs for his children to abide by.
Have you ever been so distracted by the beauty of God that you have to pull over and marvel at the glory of our Creator? I am convinced that through his creation he displays his love for me each day, but last night… last night was something to be remembered.
As I was driving home I was a little anxious because I knew there was a storm blowing in. I went ahead with my journey and half way through it I was captivated by the beauty around me. The sky above me had more stars than I had ever seen, and on the right and the left sides of me God was putting on a light show. There was no rain in sight or thunder to be heard but the lightning was roaring in the horizon. The clouds were positioned perfectly to create a picturesque painting. I am confident that God wanted to remind me of his beauty last night as I was placed perfectly in the middle where the sky above was split to surround me with lights, and cover me with a clear sky, sparkled with a plethora of stars. The sky had split. I was hidden in the shadow of his wings.
Before I had pulled over, I was attempting to drive while marveling over this beauty. (Sorry, Mom) I didn’t realize how it was affecting my driving until other drivers began to honk at me and I remembered that there was a certain speed I was supposed to be maintaining. I realized I was going 20 mph under the speed limit, yet oddly enough I was content, because I was captivated by something greater.
How often do we allow our lives to slow down? When do you look different to others because you are delighted in the goodness of our King? Is your heart peaceful because your eyes are fixed on eternity?
These were questions that I began to wrestle with as I was being honked at for going 55 mph in a 75 mph on Hwy 6.
Life slows down when I walk in his beauty, with eternity in mind.
Who’s ever heard of such a thing, that a King would wash his servants feet? Oh what a love that the God of all would come down from Heaven above and wash the feet of the one he loves.
Let me not be too busy that I busy God out of my life.
I get so caught up in the mundane world that I lose perspective. I forget that God is a good dad who delights in my good. He does not seek to pounce on me the moment I fail, because his love is not circumstantial (praise Jesus for that)! He calls us to deep waters, to hard places, not because he rejoices in our failures, rather is pleased in our dependence. He calls us to these places with him because he longs for us to walk on water with him, not merely flap and keep our head above the water. He yearns for us to hold his hand and dance on the water with him. He is a Shepherd who guides gently, and instructs wisely.
I am Peter. I become too concerned with my circumstances, details, and doubt that I lose focus. I would rather chase the storm than be at peace in my dependence. I question Jesus and his goodness, power, and provision, rather than trusting that each of my moments sift through his mighty hands. I long for busyness rather than the stillness inside Red Sea being parted. I would rather run back to slavery in Egypt than to look up and praise God for his deliverance.
Praise God for his mercy! Thank you Jesus for rescuing me from the storm of my own selfishness and calling me to live in eternity with you. There is beauty to be breathed in all around, rather ignoring it may my eyes be focused on the stillness inside the storms that life may bring. I am thankful for storms that cause me to refocus my gaze towards the author of creation.
Lord, may it be so that I would no longer be a storm chaser.