I Was In the Eye Of The Hurricane

Recently our nation has, once again, had it’s attention turned to the threats and devastation that hurricanes can bring. Thoughts and prayers have gone out to those directly in the path of these storms and reeling from it’s destruction. Let’s continue to pray for those mourning the loss of life and having to start over after having their homes washed away. When disaster strikes, people can often look to God and wonder where He was and why He allowed something so horrible to take place. While there are answers to these questions, often it is not an answer that we are seeking but comfort from the pain we are experiencing. It is true that the Bible tells us repeatedly we will face many troubles and suffer loss in this life. We may not hear many sermons on that topic because there are more encouraging things in Scripture to focus on; nevertheless it is true and it is a difficult reality to embrace. However, the Bible also tells us that as we hope in the Lord, we do not go through such tragedies alone. The presence of chaos does not equal the absence of God.  There can be peace in the midst of the storm and I’ve experienced it first-hand. I have literally walked in the eye of a hurricane… and it was wonderful.

I grew up along the Gulf Coast of the US and hurricane season was like a 5th season of the year. Hurricanes were a part of life and you had to deal with that reality; like it or not. I have gone through many major storms in my life, but one year the hurricane didn’t only come to our area, it came to our house. The winds were so strong they uprooted a giant oak tree in our front yard and felled it inches from our home. As we hunkered down inside the main hallway of our house we watched the walls swell and listened to the winds whip through the vents of our attic, trying to lift the roof off of the building. We were experiencing a direct hit and it was terrifying. You hear people say ‘it sounds like a train,’ and it does. And then, at the height of its terror, it was calm. No wind. No rain. I opened the front door and saw the many trees all around our home lying in the yard. The steeple off the church building next door was gone. And as I looked up there were sea gulls flying in a cloudless blue sky. However, the storm wasn’t over. We were in the eye of the hurricane and it was as calm as a summer day playing football with buddies in the front yard. Chaos was 15 min away from us in every direction and yet in the eye of the storm everything was at peace. I will never forget that feeling and I don’t want you to either. (Click here to read my post dealing with your expectations)

Seeing Clearly in the Chaos

Hurricanes are hell. Life can sometimes feel the same. Broken dreams, wounded relationships,   failed businesses and feelings of emptiness can swirl around us with fierce bluster. It can seem like a never ending nightmare that is crescendoing to a bitter end. But can I tell you there is an eye in the midst of the storm and it is just on the other side of the fiercest winds? Yes, we may experience difficulty and loss, but we do not have to experience it alone. Likewise, that difficulty and loss doesn’t have to define us or be an everlasting ‘stain’ on our lives. We have the ability and authority to invite the Lord into the midst of our chaos and He is so amazingly loving and kind that He will accept such an invitation. Often we don’t invite Him because we feel the storm is our fault or that we have to put things in order before we ask Him to show up. Regardless of how you got there, the Lord will respond if we humble ourselves and ask. God hates the storm as much as you do and He has the power to calm the wind and rain and even bring purpose and benefit to you and others through the chaos you’ve experienced. However, we must invite Him and we must allow Him to set the terms. As long as we want to hold on to our ‘storms’ He cannot take it from us. Sometimes we say we want peace but we cling to the chaos like a children’s blanket. There is no hope in that. (Click here to read my post on recovering from broken dreams)

I cannot promise that all the storms in your life will cease. But I can promise you that there is a way to live in the eye of the hurricane. There may be chaos in every direction but in the presence of God is fullness of joy. He is in the eye of the storm and will help you navigate the challenges you face, help you put things back in order and make you a safe place for others to come find refuge. If you continue to look out, you’ll see the wind and rain on every side.  If you look up, you may find that in the eye of the hurricane, the sun is shining and there is beauty and purpose for you today. God is for you today and so am I. Keep your eyes on Him and you’ll always have the best view in town. (Click here to see the message I preached called ‘About This Time Tomorrow’)

From the Bible

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still… – Psalm 107:28-29 NASB 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 NIV

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. – Psalm 16:11 ESV