Hurricanes and Earthquakes in Our Lives

      At the end of August most of us experienced something new for the very first time!  An earthquake in New    Jersey!   As many of us tuned into the news that day, we also learned that the hurricane Irene was threatening to visit us, which created a lot of havoc as well.  Earthquakes and hurricanes, not the kind of things that helps us relax or experience rest and peace!

Earthquakes and hurricanes often find their way in our lives.  They are the unwanted visitors, whether we like them or not.  What a fitting analogy for many of us, especially your pastor these days.  As we enter our busy season of ministry this fall, my wife, Dianne, was diagnosed with cancer, my oldest daughter left home and went to college for the first time, my youngest daughter turned 17 and received her driver’s license (yikes!)   The temptation during such times has certainly been to worry, fret and be anxious.

But Psalm 46 invites each of us to make God “our refuge and strength” and “a very present help in trouble.”  The Psalmist encourages us to not “fear though the earth gives way though the mountains be moved in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”     It is a strong reminder that no matter how great the earthquakes and hurricanes in our personal lives, God is the one who can provide safety and peace!

The Psalm ends with an interesting invitation from God Himself, “be still and know that I am God… I will be exalted in the earth!”  It is a call by God to spend time with Him and discover the quietness and calm that He alone can give—no matter how great the circumstance.  This is a call to spend quiet time with God in prayer and in His word, reflecting on how turmoil and chaos in our lives can instruct us and conform us into the image of His Son!

So let us turn to the Lord and discover the stillness and peace that He alone can give.  And let us accept by faith that every  hurricane and every earthquake in our lives can provide opportunities to discover that He indeed is a refuge and an ever present help in trouble.  God is only looking for us to trust Him and be willing!  Are you?