Storms

God's thunder sets the oak trees dancing 

   A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches. 

   We fall to our knees—we call out, "Glory!" 

God makes the people strong. 

   God gives God’s people peace.

                       ~ Psalm 29:9, 11 from The Message

In life, we never know when the thunder clouds will suddenly build up and the rain will pour down. The storms of life often sneak up on us unawares and we get caught in the downpours without an umbrella. Can we view life’s storms the way we view nature’s storms? Can we fall to our knees and call out “Glory!”? 

Popular wisdom says that going through the tough times makes us stronger. Sometimes we don’t want to be that strong! An old adage tells us “every cloud has a silver lining.” But sometimes it’s impossible to see any silver linings. After some storms, we get to see the rainbow--or even a double rainbow--but it doesn’t always happen like that. Sometimes we have to simply trust that the sun will shine again. Sometimes we have to imagine the rainbow. Sometimes we have to have faith that God will make us strong (again and again) and give us peace.

There is an awesome beauty in the thunder clouds, and power in thunderclaps. The storm makes the trees dance and the rain can strip their branches. Life-storms can send us reeling (a chaotic dance of sorts) and strip our branches and emotions raw. Eventually the storm passes. Everything comes to life again. There is healing, hope, strength and sunshine. God makes the people strong, God gives God’s people peace. 

If we lift up our face to the sky and throw our arms wide to embrace the storm, we, too, can call out, “Glory!” We, too, can trust the God of love to guide us through the storm.

Copyright 5/29/12. Pastor's column for June, 2012 newsletter.