Churning Sky
Canon 5D Mark ll, 16-35 2.8L, 16mm focal length, 5.6 aperture, 1/80 shutter, 100 ISO
Out of nowhere, the storm rushes in. The sky darkens with ominous clouds, and fierce winds humble the mightiest of trees. The old oak snaps behind the house and we feel the earth shudder beneath our feet as its branches fall to the ground. The sheer power of the storm induces a sense of awe. We say few words. We watch. Once again, we see we are not in control.
Is this the same God? The same One who, with tender strokes, streaked color across the sky just last night? Is He now the One who thunders in with swirls of wind and rain that cause fear and uncertainty? Yes. He is the same God.
I try to remember this as I writhe under the pain of my own uncertainty. I will send two children to a faraway land in the early morning hours. My heart feels as though it may burst out of my body. It feels compressed, its contents under pressure, in this storm of my own. I am not in control. We mothers, we want to control things, to keep our children safe. It is God-given, after all, to protect our babies. It never goes away. But I know, yes I know, that I am not in control. And when I pray, when I think it through, when I finally sort it out with God, I am grateful that I am not. He, the great King, is all powerful. He the omnipresent Creator, can be with them on airplanes and dusty Guatemalan roads. He, the One who loves them more than I possibly could, He will be in control. The same power that rushes in with the dark clouds is at His command to use as He pleases. And the best part, the most wonderful part, is that He is good.
Braving the Storm
He is good, and He can be trusted.
And so I trade uncertainty for joy and expectation. I exchange worry for worship once again. And when I worship in the storm, it is like placing a candle in the window. A beacon of hope for others to follow. There I can find true rest, knowing He is in control, even in the storm.
Psalm 100:4,5 ~ “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Gratitude and Grace
4 Comments
That was such a cool moment when the storm kicked up and we were all together. The picture of Johnny takes me back. Power that humbles and we all watch like spectators to some grand event.
I love the capacity of words to frame up experiences, to sort out emotion and set the course for proper perspective. Not everyone knows how to use words – your skill in it is growing by the day.
When the rumblings come I’m always reminded of these lyrics…I’ve seen Him in the lightening, heard Him in the thunder and felt Him in the rain. My God is near me all the time.
Here are the complete lyrics:
My Lord Is Near Me All The Time
Words and Music: Barbara Fowler Gaultney
In the lightning flash across the sky
His mighty pow’r I see,
And I know if He can reign on high,
His light can shine on me.
I’ve seen it in the lightning, heard it in the thunder,
And felt it in the rain;
My Lord is near me all the time,
My Lord is near me all the time.
When the thunder shakes the mighty hills
And trembles ev’ry tree,
Then I know a God so great and strong
Can surely harbor me.
I’ve seen it in the lightning, heard it in the thunder,
And felt it in the rain;
My Lord is near me all the time,
My Lord is near me all the time.
When refreshing showers cool the earth
And sweep across the sea,
Then His rainbow shines within my heart,
His nearness comforts me.
I’ve seen it in the lightning, heard it in the thunder,
And felt it in the rain;
My Lord is near me all the time,
My Lord is near me all the time.
This make me think of the song …..He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands. We will keep Johnny and Katie in our prayers MaryAnne. They are going to be used by God and to God be the Glory! Love you sister!