The Storm
We had quite a storm late Saturday night/early Sunday morning. Those of you who have experience Texas thunderstorms have an idea of what it was like. I have never heard thunder so loud. I am convinced that I saw lightning twice hit near our home. Flashes of eye-piercing brightness illuminated the roaring night. It was both beautiful and awe-inspiring; unless you’re a dog or a two-year old.
Our dog’s name is Baxter. He is a pure-bred Golden Retriever. Weighing in at close to 90 pounds, he’s no small dog. He’s quite loyal, gentle with our children and protective of family. All that to say, he’s a great dog. Except in storms. He is scared to death of thunderstorms. He shivers, he tries to get on the bed, he follows you around the house. In other words, he’s a big sissy when it comes to storms.
Baxter would whine and walk around in circles, occasionally trying to get onto the bed unless I reached down and firmly let him know that I was there. That calmed him down a bit and reminded him that he was safe. It doesn’t make trying to sleep through storms any easier or very comfortable because after a bit, my arm starts to fall asleep from being held out over the side of the dog to constantly remind him of my presence. As soon as I move or try to readjust my arm, the dog is up again trying to jump onto the bed in a near panic.
Carson, my two-year old son has essentially the same reaction to loud storms though its understandable for a two-year old little boy. He ended up in our bed some time during the storm and his method of coping was to scoot right up beside me so that at least his feet were touching me at all times. If I shifted or rolled over, he scooted closer, needing the reassurance of my presence. So I had the dog trying to get onto the bed on one side and my son scooting me ever closer to the edge of the bed on the other. It wasn’t the most comfortable night’s sleep.
Though it wasn’t a restful night, it was refreshing. It reminded me that “the name of the Lord is a strong tower” to which I can run to and be safe (Proverbs 18:10). It reminded me that when I am afraid, I should put my trust in God (Psalm 56:3). That storm helped me understand how James can say “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8). When the thunder shook the windows and my son or even the dog would press against me in fear, I didn’t recoil, I didn’t remove myself, I pressed closer, knowing that they were afraid, they were dependent, they were relying on my for security and a sense of safety, imperfect though it was.
As the storm raged, I marveled at how God often uses the turmoil in our lives to bring about peace. We all know Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God” but we don’t always remember the context. Psalm 46:1-3 sets the stage:
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling
God is not telling the Psalmist to engage in a “Christianized” transcendental meditation, trying to block out everything else, He is telling the Psalmist to rest in God, even as the earth itself seems to be giving way around Him. Notice that the comfort the Psalmist receives in perhaps the best-known of all the psalms happens “in the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23). Apparently, the still waters and green pastures were in the valley itself.
God often uses life’s storms to bring our theology to life. Do we trust Him? He will give us opportunity to demonstrate it. Do we find comfort, strength and security in Him? He will soon bring circumstances our way that reveal whether or not we do. Sometimes we just need to be reminded that God is near (Psalm 75:1) and He is our refuge (Ruth 2:12). Unless we understand this, we will never consider our trials with joy (James 1:2).
To see similar sentiments expressed better, watch this from Rob Bell:
Hi Brent,
Psalm 29 is a great read for preparing for Thunderstorms. “The voice of the LORD is over the waters;the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.” vs.3
Thanks for the post.
Jay
nice…way to use the Rob Bell clip.
rhett
I have been reading your blogs for over a year and sincerely enjoy and learn from every one..
but just recently, I have heard Rob Bell linked to the Emergent Church, and since, from what I’ve seen, what you’ve written is Biblically sound, I was wandering your thoughts about that.
Dianne,
I will let Brent speak for himself. However, I think it is a strength of Brent’s that he is able to critique folks like Bell but then recognize when they make a legitimate contribution, such as I think Rob makes in this video.
…the name is Nuwanda.
Thanks Nuwanda.
Dianne, what I would say about Bell is the same thing I would say about anyone - we need to evaluate everything. I do have some concerns about some of Bell’s teaching but there’s also a lot of good in there and I worry that I can often be too reactionary, throwing everything out rather than actively evaluating through the Gospel. So this blog is a continued exercise in just that. Does that answer your question?
Yes, that does answer my question.
Thank you. :]
I was just hoping to hear some more opinions about Bell, the Emergent church, etc. in the light of the Gospel, since I’ve only heard a bit & want a more complete view, especially from sources that I respect.