In the storms

        Isn't it something how life moves along calmly, quietly, uneventfully...and then suddenly, wham, a hurricane blows in.  One moment the skies are sunny, bright and clear, and the next, the storms clouds glower low and menacing and the rain pours down in sheets. 
        It's been one of those days. 
        This past week has featured the typical series of minor difficulties and small disappointments along with plenty of joyous interludes of peace and answered prayer.  Actually, like all of life--some good, some bad.  Some joy, some sorrow.  Some moments of crying out to God "Why?!" and "When?!" yet then interspersed with plenty of moments of "Thank You!" and "Praise You, Father!" 
        But today's been different.  We have several friends and family members dealing with sudden crises.  And here I sit, knowing in a sense what they're feeling.  I can close my eyes and am immediately taken back to that phone call six years ago this month.  Your daughter's been in a serious car accident...traumatic brain injury...coma...ICU.  It's like suddenly being thrown into a swirling vortex of uncertainty and fear. 
         How I wish, I pray, I could take away the pain and terror and helplessness.  I cannot...but this I do know.  There is a Rock that is an unshakable fortress, a sure and certain refuge in any storm. And His name is Jesus. 
        He is the mighty Lion of Judah.  The Great Deliverer.  The Redeemer.  The Bread of Life.  The Door.  The Living Water.  The Good, Good Shepherd.  The Friend who sticks closer than a brother.  The  Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  The Word.  The Savior. 
         And He will never ever leave you nor forsake you.  (Heb.13:5) 
         Sometimes we don't truly realize that until we're buffeted by the storms, and in the midst of the craziness, we sense His nearness, His grace, His tender love as never before.  It's in the storms that we learn what it means to depend upon Him, to trust Him alone for "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow," and to experience joy even in the midst of sorrow and difficulty.   
         "I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight." (Psalm 119:76-77)
        He is in the affliction.  He is in the storm.  He has allowed it, and He will use it, somehow, someway, for our greater good and His greater glory.  After all, Jesus endured the most horrific storm ever--the storm of the cross--for you, for me.  He allowed that raging storm of wrath and sin to buffet and batter and beat Him all the way to death.  The death we deserved. 
        But then on the third day, Jesus rose victorious.  Victorious over sin and death.  Victorious over fear and failure. Victorious over sickness and shame.  Victorious over despair and defeat.  And because He lives and reigns, so one day we will as well. 
         If you're in the midst of a storm, big or small, right now, look to Jesus.  Go to Him in His Word.  Worship Him in your pain.  Cry out to Him in your confusion.  Trust Him even when you cannot see the way ahead.  Because He does.  And He'll bring you safely home. 
         He's there.  I promise.  Far better yet, He's promised, and His Word never, ever fails. 
         If you're still and listen deeply, you might hear the beautiful sound of a distant roar.  Because in the midst of the storm, Aslan is on the move.
         To God be the glory.