The storm blows in and removes things that don't belong. Maybe God has sent or allowed storms to come roaring into our lives so that He can remove what doesn't belong. If it's true in nature, it's also true in our lives - the very thing you think is devastating can also be God's tool to cleanse and improve!
When I read Acts 27 I'm reminded of Paul's trip to Rome on that big cargo ship. 276 people are sailing with him and suddenly they get hit by a massive storm system that batters and threatens to destroy them!
The Bible says, "A wind of hurricane force...swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm...We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands."
Eventually, Paul is visited by an angel. After that encounter, Paul tells his fellow shipmates..."Keep up your courage...only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.'"
Storms CLARIFY the things that really
matter and the things that really don't.
matter and the things that really don't.
In this case, they threw overboard cargo they thought they needed but they didn't really need. That might be what God's trying to get you to do as the storm is battering you:
- Set some new priorities!
- Get rid of some cargo you've accumulated!
- Get rid of relationships that were hindering you!
Just as God clarified for Paul what really mattered and his LIFE MISSION, it could be that God wants to use your personal hurricane to get you to focus on what He's called you to do.
Sometimes we have a tendency to hang on to people and things that God is trying to cut out of our life for our own protection and purpose.
Just like the storm that arose in Jonah chapter one - God allowed it to uproot what was wrong in the ship. Sometimes, due to our own misjudgment of people's character we blindly allow Jonah's in our ship who are grossly in error through misconduct, character issues and rebellion.
If you give all your attention to Jonah, you'll neglect the PEOPLE God has called you to reach.
Your LIFE MISSION is what matters - the things God has given you to do will survive the storm!
The hurricanes of life seem devastating some times, but He allows them to accomplish things that might not happen any other way. Perhaps God is removing what has blocked the rays of sunshine in your life...so something beautiful can grow!
Paul encouraged his shipmates to stay in the ship during the storm. They did. All of them survived the storm.
