Hello, Hurricane

Well. Hello, hurricane.

I have said this before but I am a little scared of the ocean. There have been a few things in my life that have caused this fear. One was when I lived in California and a wave crashed me really hard under the water and into the sand. Since then I have taken great caution when in the ocean and staying safe on the sand when the waves get too rough.

However, when my husband and I arrived in Puerto Rico two days ago for vacation we went to the beach in the afternoon. It was hot, so I went to go into the water. The water was pretty calm, but there were some waves that would come. These waves were quite small, but enough to usually make me get out. This time though, I dove through them, with no fear. As I was gliding through the wave, I told God, Whatever you want. No fear, anything you have ahead of me I am ready.

Hello, Hurricane.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:7

Let me tell you what I didn’t mean by that statement. I didn’t mean for Him to allow us to be stuck in Puerto Rico when a Category 5 hurricane called Maria was going to hit. No that is not what I meant at all.

We tried everything to get out. We told the customer service woman at the airline yesterday that we would fly anywhere on the east coast. Yet every time she found a flight and went to press “book” the flight was gone. She tried until she eventually said that there is nothing.

So we are here. Now.

From the beginning, we have felt no fear. I have never been through a major hurricane, that I can remember. But with what I know about hurricanes, I feel like we should be afraid. But we are not.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown
Isaiah 43:2-3

We are confident in the One who is mightier than the wind and the waves. The One who defies science and walks on water so He can let you know that He is there in the middle of the storm. He is the One who could calm the storm with the whisper of His voice, yet instead is there when you walk through the deep waters. He is the One raising you up when you begin to sink. He is the One who provides peace in the raging waves.

Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid. 

I want Him every day. Now. In this moment. I want obedience over comfortable. When things are good, I want to be dancing to His melody. When I feel like my life is shattered, I want to find peace in His embrace. If I am safe, I want to be safe in the palm of His hand. When life doesn’t make sense, I want to trust that He holds it all together. And when there is a storm, I want to be walking on water gazing into His eyes.

So we are here. Now. And He is here. Now.

Hello, hurricane.

He is with us in the storm. He is with you in the storm.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27