“There’s a storm coming in the distance.

Some will run to it and some will resist it.

Our eyes will turn to the sky.

With desert hearts looking to the heavens, desperate for your holy fountain, our eyes will turn to the sky.

Rain down on earth, Father. Rain down on earth, Spirit. Rain down on earth, Jesus. Rain down on earth.”

~Carlos Whittaker

Storms….Do you run “to” them or do you “resist” them? Me? I fall on the side of resisting them.  I don’t like storms one bit and as far back as I have memories  I’ve always feared them.

Last night Michael & I got caught right in the middle of a huge storm coming home from Farmington. The lightning started out looking like the picture above but when the rain and wind came it was flashing so fast it became a blinding white light. That light wasn’t illuminating it was disorienting. For a while I wasn’t even sure we were driving on the road anymore. But we just kept going, forward, moving very slowly and just as slowly the storm started to let up. That’s the best thing about a storm-that it has an ending. It doesn’t last forever, although sometimes it seems that way, there is always going to be an end.

I’ve thought a lot today about how overwhelming some of the storms in my life have been. I also realize if I hadn’t experienced those storms I would never be any different. I would be  making the same mistakes, I’d never learn anything new, and I certainly would never have allowed God total access to every part of my life. I know that the storms are going to keep rolling and they won’t be comfortable but I believe in how they can shape me. I have come to the painful awareness that life is not about what I can accumulate in the way of possessions, it’s not about my status or how important I think I am, and it’s certainly not about arriving at death safely. It is however about giving away everything I have to follow Him, it’s about relationships and community and it’s about living life to it’s absolute fullest. Storms included!!! The moment those ideas became real in my life…I realized I’d never be completely “comfortable” in this life anymore. I don’t think we’re meant to be comfortable here. Wouldn’t it make heaven seem insignificant and unimportant? Don’t you think?

I love the lyrics above, they are beautiful and honest and very raw, the moment I heard them I felt their impact. No longer do I want to resist…..I realize it’s in those stormy moments that God fills me with what my heart has been looking for all along~Freedom, joy, love without measure…and peace in the midst of the worst storm. I desire the rain, it changes me..forever. No longer do I feel trapped by the same old things.

I hope in the midst of whatever storm you are experiencing that you meet God there, it will forever change you and may it encourage you to live dangerously and boldly, in complete joy and freedom with love and peace always invading your heart.

That is my prayer for you…..