“In the Eye of the Storm” begins with one of my all time favorite Max Lucado stories. It concerns Chippie the parakeet and the fact that you never know what live will bring. There was old Chippie, sitting on his swing and minding his own business when all of a sudden he was “sucked in, washed up, and blown over.” Here’s the story--
The problems began when Chippie's owner decided to clean Chippie's cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage. The phone rang, and she turned to pick it up. She'd barely said “hello” when “sssopp!” Chippie got sucked in.The bird owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie— still alive, but stunned.Since the bird was covered with dust and soot, she grabbed him and raced to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do . . . she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air. Poor Chippie never knew what hit him.
Ever have a day like that? You think everything is going well, the then the wheels fall off and the roof cave. And maybe you can relate to Chippy after his hard day. His owner was asked how he was doing and replied, “Well, Chippie doesn't sing much anymore—he just sits and stares.”
Our Old Testament reading for today is God’s promise to Israel, and to us, to be there when we are sucked in, washed up, and blown over by life. In Isaiah 43:2-3, God says--
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;the flames will not set you ablaze.For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
God never promises to keep us from the storms of life, but He does promise to be with us through those storms. He promises to restore us and life us up after the storms. And unlike Chippy, once we are restored, we will sing to the Lord a new song (Isa 42:10-13).
The process of getting from the storm to the new song is called “faith.”
3 comments:
Isn’t it good to know that the same God who was with the Israelites is with His people even to this day. . . those who honor and obey. How patient and long suffering the Lord has been; sparing not Himself, He walked among His people, took on the form. . . as a man he was mocked and spat upon, in the flesh He was murdered by those same people He loved. . . Raised from the tomb was He, on the third day. . . deaths door was breached. . . once and for all the victory was won. . . Will He not return some day and judge the world? Yes, as a thief in the night He comes. He will take His children home and they will know no more harm, there are those Who will rest safe in His everlasting arms. Even as we find rest and comfort in Him this day.
Life is short and sometimes it can be a pain. Do not hurt yourselves or others and you will not live in fear. . . fear not the process and tribulations that destroys the body with time. Take care of yourself and others and you will all age gracefully.
What is it, that is strengthened, as we are, refined in the spirit, as gold in a furnace?
It is not a fairy tail or made up ‘meaning of life’. You can read all about it as it was given to us by the 'Holy One' for all to see in the last book of The Holy Bible. Many have added to it and attempted to twist it for glory and profit. . . the end of the book speaks of what they will receive.
Although earthly parents might hurt and subject their own and others to unnecessary hurt and damaging storms, most often without intending it. And some might even try to smear, handicap or lower the IQ of ‘the competitor’ or try to bring low those who have been lifted up, through devious and/or violent means. . . Our heavenly father sees all, knows all and supplies all we need. No one is so battered, dusty or in such a state of disarray that He can not see and hear their cries. He will never turn away from or forsake those who reach out to Him in love. His blessings are eternal and incorruptible given to those who He will bring into His rest, His will enter into His grace and know His face and, it is the face of love.
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