Safe During The Storm

"For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand." Ephesians 6:12-13

Safe During The Storm

Here in Texas we get some wild, savage storms. The wind blows, the rain sheets sideways through the air accompanied by the often strange burning smell that comes along with icy hail. The ground, often dry from months of drought, can’t absorb the water fast enough causing damaging flooding. We have a French drain that runs along the back of our house due to a slope in our yard. Its purpose is to keep the water from rising up into the house. Along the edges of the roof are gutters, running like metal stream beds guiding the pouring water into the storm drains at the street.

Yesterday we had a storm pass through that dumped almost 5 inches of water on us in under an hour. While looking out the window, sweetheart realized that silly dog had dug around the base of the fence thus blocking the storm drains. Water was rising rapidly up the side of the house, potentially headed into the house where our carpet would eagerly soak it up. He rushed out to shovel away the offending dirt, clearing the way for all that water to make its way safely to the street drain. He came back into the house soaked to the bone, complaining about the dog, the rain, the dirt, the absurdity of shoveling during a thunderstorm. I decided not to share with my sweetheart that he had just given me the exact example I had been searching for as my newest blog idea was swirling around in my head.   

So many times in life we will pray for our Abba to keep us safe from the storms. The storms of life, the storms of nature, the storms of marriage, the storms of school, the storms of war. Yet what have we done to prepare for these storms? Do we meet with Him each day, clearing our schedule of everything but Him, thus keeping our hand in His? Are we making sure our relationship with our spouse is the highest priority in our life (after God of course) thus keeping the foundations of our marriage firm and unshakable. Are we attending a church, a small group, a Bible study thus keeping ourselves surrounded by like minded people who will stand in the gap for us when we are weakened by the storm? 

It is so very important dear friends, to keep the dirt away from our foundation. When we allow the world to invade our lives, it leaves behind sediment. Eventually that sediment builds up to the point where literally forms a ramp allowing the world to rush in, leaving destruction and chaos in its path. We need to make sure that we regularly mentally walk around our lives, clearing away the debris, making sure the barriers against sin are strong, repairing any defects that might give way during a storm.

Father God, help us be mindful of the beauty of your workmanship in these earthly bodies you created for us. Help us to keep the dirt of sin from building up at the edges of our lives. Remind us daily that you are the Master Carpenter, ready in a moment to spackle over our defects, paint over our scars, make us once again shining and new. We know, Father, that there will be storms in our lives. Show us how to prepare to be strong during those storms. Show us every day through Your Word just what repairs we need to make. Keep us watchful for others who may need shelter from a storm. Let our lives be sturdy enough to provide a place of safety and rest for someone who has lost their way in the storm. In the name of Your most precious Son, our Brother, Christ Jesus, Amen

@copyright 2012 Michelle Welch, The Unclaimed Gift

all pictures property of Michelle Welch

HCSB Bible used for scripture reference