Hold Back the Storms, Or Don’t

I drove home to flashes of lightning through the clouds and the sound of thunder close behind. As the clouds grew darker and I neared home the reality of what just happened crashed through the walls of my heart.

Months before, our church family rallied around a radical idea. Take Vacation Bible School out of the building. Bring Jesus’ love to the children instead asking them to come to us.

We prayed, planned, and put the word out. This particular day, we stood in the park and stared at the skies. We knew they might not be our friend.

Storms closed in around us from the north and the south. But, with determined hearts and prayer in our pockets we modified the night’s schedule and squeezed in one hour of activities.

After close consultation with our resident weather guy, We set out to feed the children The Word and some hot dogs between the storms.

With 25 minutes to go, the clouds once again grew dark. The rumbles grew louder and my heart beat faster. I grabbed a close friend and darted to the bathroom to pray.

Lord, You see us here. We’re here because we know You show up no matter what; and we want everyone here to know that, too. We know You direct the storms, so we plead with You now, Lord, hold back these storms! Give us 25 more minutes. Protect these children!

He heard us. He answered. And within an hour after wrap up, storms covered the area.

It was on my way home that the thought crossed my mind,

I don’t have a clue about this God I talk to.

I talk to Him daily. Read His Word. Sing praises to Him. But, I’m clueless. My mind cannot fathom the extent of this God. His power. His majesty. His holiness.

Fingers cannot write it. Words cannot speak it. He holds storms in His hand. He stops them when He sees fit. He moves them when He decides it’s right.

Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 (ESV)

The Bible records an “Aha” moment amongst Jesus’ disciples. These men left all they knew. They gave up their lives to follow Jesus. They walked with him and talked with him daily. But it wasn’t until Jesus rescued them from a storm that they worshiped Him.

The boat was in the water, some distance from land, buffeted and pushed around by waves and wind. Deep in the night, when He had concluded His prayers, Jesus walked out on the water to His disciples in their boat.” Matthew 14:24-25 (The Voice)

You probably know the story. The disciples thought they saw a ghost. Jesus called to them saying,

Be still. It is I. You have nothing to fear.” Matthew 14:27 (The Voice)

Peter took Him at His word and actually stepped out of the boat to follow Jesus on the water. It went well for a little bit, but distracted by the wind and waves, Peter’s eyes left Jesus and he started to sink.

Jesus scooped him up out of the water and they climbed into the boat together. Then

Those in the boat worshiped him [Jesus], saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.'” Matthew 14:33 (ESV)

Sometimes it takes a storm to help us remember the power of our Savior. The majesty of our King. The glory of our God. I, for one, still can’t shake my awe-struck heart. And, I hope I never do.

As we go through the motions of our day, I pray God brings our attention to the splendor of His glory and bends our knees beneath the beauty of His holiness.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” 1 Chronicles 16:29 (KJV)