"But God is the God of the waves and the billows, and they are still His when they come over us; and again and again we have proved that the overwhelming thing does not overwhelm. Once more by His interposition deliverance came. We were cast down, but not destroyed."
-Amy Carmichael
We do not have to be overwhelmed by the storms of this life.
The One who forms the gentle ripples of a stream is the same One who makes the ocean tide and the whirling whirlpool. The Creator of all, knows all, sees all.
He is still in control when we are not.
He is still Sovereign even when the sickness strikes and the job is lost and the child hurts. He still sees and knows and cares. He cares enough to store all our tears. He cares enough to allow the suffering, so the deliverance joy can be great. He cares enough to walk us through it. He cares enough to make Himself known in the very pit of despair. Because He knows that in our weakness, His strength is made perfect.
Storms, trials, hardships. . . they will come.
The joy comes in knowing that we never walk alone. He is the eye in the midst. He is the peace among the peril.
I have known Him best when walking through the valley. I have felt His spirit more in the darkness of uncertainty than anywhere else. My faith is strengthened when I am weakest. That is when He works best you know, when we realize we are nothing, He is everything. We are but a vapor, He is eternal. So take heart, 'God is the God of the waves and the billows,' He is sovereign, and this storm may be meant to draw you closer to Himself.
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Hope
62 tornadoes touched down on North Carolina soil this past Saturday.
Homes were ripped to pieces beyond recognition, 100 year old pine trees snapped like twigs, animals blown hundreds of yards, and 22 human lives . . . lost.
It makes one consider the fragility of it all.
Our life is but a vapor, here one moment, gone the next.
Considering too what all the striving is for. Many work their entire lives to afford all the 'stuff ' of life. A nice home, white picket fence, flat screen television, nice clothes, fancy toys. . . scattered to the wind. How often am I found grasping for the things of life when all that matters is . . . life.
Over and over the survivors of these terrible storms said they had lost everything - their homes, cars, all belongings, but the most important thing was that they were still alive. I believe most of humanity realizes that life is a gift. That is why we all keep working one day at a time to fulfill some purpose to which we have been called. This gift is why we spend millions every year in medicines and treatments, to lengthen the number of our days. There is a need to preserve life.
Often though, the world forgets the One who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
The author of life is life Himself. Purpose, meaning, and joy can only be found in Christ.
As we remember the ones who lost their lives and pray for the ones who are now sifting through the pieces of their kitchen floor to find the faded photographs, let us pray that in the losing of things, real life will be found. Among the splintered pieces of home, meaning will take hold. And let us give what we can, be it time, help, money, or prayers to those who are hurting and sifting through life right now.
I am thankful for. . .
75. Lives spared
76. Perspective
77. Compassion
78. His power to heal
79. Life out of death
80. Spring sweet walks in the woods
81. Handfuls of wildflowers from loving children
82. Lunch with my hubby
83. The shelter of His wings
84. Hope in the Lord
85. Fun school days
86. Hosanna shouts!
87. Bird songs in the night
88. Wild running and waving palm branches
89. Sorrow
90. A Savior who gave all
Homes were ripped to pieces beyond recognition, 100 year old pine trees snapped like twigs, animals blown hundreds of yards, and 22 human lives . . . lost.
It makes one consider the fragility of it all.
Our life is but a vapor, here one moment, gone the next.
Considering too what all the striving is for. Many work their entire lives to afford all the 'stuff ' of life. A nice home, white picket fence, flat screen television, nice clothes, fancy toys. . . scattered to the wind. How often am I found grasping for the things of life when all that matters is . . . life.
Over and over the survivors of these terrible storms said they had lost everything - their homes, cars, all belongings, but the most important thing was that they were still alive. I believe most of humanity realizes that life is a gift. That is why we all keep working one day at a time to fulfill some purpose to which we have been called. This gift is why we spend millions every year in medicines and treatments, to lengthen the number of our days. There is a need to preserve life.
Often though, the world forgets the One who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
The author of life is life Himself. Purpose, meaning, and joy can only be found in Christ.
As we remember the ones who lost their lives and pray for the ones who are now sifting through the pieces of their kitchen floor to find the faded photographs, let us pray that in the losing of things, real life will be found. Among the splintered pieces of home, meaning will take hold. And let us give what we can, be it time, help, money, or prayers to those who are hurting and sifting through life right now.
I am thankful for. . .
75. Lives spared
76. Perspective
77. Compassion
78. His power to heal
79. Life out of death
80. Spring sweet walks in the woods
81. Handfuls of wildflowers from loving children
82. Lunch with my hubby
83. The shelter of His wings
84. Hope in the Lord
85. Fun school days
86. Hosanna shouts!
87. Bird songs in the night
88. Wild running and waving palm branches
89. Sorrow
90. A Savior who gave all
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