Safe In The Storm

A new year enters in and, as I sit in the coziness of my warm home, storms are raging all around. An historic windstorm hits the area and proceeds to wreak havoc on the neighboring communities. Hurricane-force gusts topping over 100 mph tear into the heart and soul of the towns and cities nearby...people reporting power outages, broken windows, vehicles flipped, small airplanes flipped and damaged at local airports, and even  road and highway closures due to whiteout conditions. Local buildings become shelters for those without heat or power; friends who still have power or at least generators offer a warm place to those lacking such amenities. 

We've had strong windstorms before. But the unusual thing about all of this is that it's never been this strong. Nor has it been this cold during such a storm. Wind chills register close to -24 as safety now becomes an issue for those needing to go out of doors for any reason. Shelter-in-place orders are declared, and a state of disaster is also issued from local leadership. 

Further north, an ice storm has wrecked yet another community, activating the National Guard for support and emergency needs. 

2022 has not come in quietly here...but with storms. 

And haven't we all felt the sudden invasion of trouble as ordinary days have turned into survival days, and we find ourselves struggling to make it through?

Strangely, the immediate area where I live has been practically untouched. Hardly a puff of wind has blown by...really, nothing more than a tiny breeze every now and then. It's cold, for sure. But yet, it's also very still. Did I not know that such craziness was happening just a few miles away in either direction, I would be completely unaware of the situation. There's nothing here indicating that so many are suffering. And, as I text friends to find out if they're okay, I almost feel guilty answering the question of whether I have the same severe conditions here...because I don't. 

Yet, I also see powerful truth at work: there is a way to find peace in all storms. There is a place of shelter and protection when all around you rages and blows and threatens to tear you right into pieces. There is a calm...and His name is Jesus. 

From watching the local weather, most likely the reason for my area being largely untouched is the mountains. Strong, firm, and unshakable, they have probably blocked the winds from reaching this part of the community as we lie nestled in their shadow, safe from the incessant gusts that blow mere miles away from here. 

And didn't Scripture say that, "as the mountains are around Jerusalem, so the Lord is around His people" always? 

Who would've thought this new year would come to these parts with such a force? That a storm would herald its arrival and shock us all? 

We cannot foresee these things, but we can fall into the safe arms of Him every time they happen. Storms within and without arise without warning, and we hunker down and fight our fears and wonder if or how we will come through. But in the midst, we are held secure. Around us, all can go wild but we can have peace because the Prince of Peace is here. Right now. Forever. 

These winds have continued unceasingly for days. The weather personnel estimate they will start to subside by the night, and cleanup efforts can begin. Recovery can happen. But, until then, they tell the poor souls to hang tight. And so the people pray and they hope and they hold on. And through it all, God holds onto them. 

And even here, as a fire roars in the fireplace, and I have power and heat when so many don't, I sit through my own heart-storms and hear the Voice speak through them all: "Peace, be still." With God, all of us are watched over, kept safe, and loved hard. And no storm can ever pluck us from His guarding hands as He gives us His inexplainable assurance...His ever-present help...His never-failing calm. 

As with any storm, the winds eventually die down and quiet returns and all is well again. And God holds us close until then.