We Can Choose to be the Storm or the Eye of the Storm

The eye of the storm is that still, calm place in the middle of a storm. We may think we've been in a storm for some time now with the fierce intensity of the pandemic and the political and racial issues and now Hurricane Isaias has prompted warnings in the Bahamas and parts of Florida. I have known violent weather, spiritual and physical storms. I was tossed about and worn out by them. I also know the eye of the storm when peace prevailed as storms swirled around about me. I realized God actually kept us in the "eye" of the storm throughout the storm. And, better yet, I've realized that I can actually BE the eye of the storm for others in the middle of their situations, conflicts, stresses, circumstances and controversies.

Don’t we desire that others see something genuine in us that represents a safety net for them – someone to go to for consolation, for comfort, for wisdom, for assurance that everything is going to be alright? That safety net or life-vest that we provide during someone’s storm, can be the “eye of the storm” where they find comfort and solace. That is part of the “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” commandment that Jesus said was second only to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.” (Matt 22:37-39)

I’m sure you’ve heard it said that the longer we are married, the more we start to favor our spouse and even take on each other’s characteristics. Last week, I laughed at my kids, Larry and Staci. Time and again, they would finish each other’s sentences. And, better yet, the more we hang out with God, read His Word, cherish it and speak it, the more we’ll start to look and act like Him and take on His characteristics of peace, calm, love, joy, kindness, etc., and the more we'll be able to bring about all those characteristics in situations we may be in or encounter. And, when we listen to His Word spoken or read – we’ll even begin to quote passages of His Words.

So, if we represent His peace in the middle of chaos, then even our presence, can cause peace to come to the storm. The atmosphere of the storm can change simply because we are so calm and peaceful. He can make us the EYE of the storm, not only to ourselves and our families, but even to those around us.
To you, today, my dear friends and family, I pray you not only encounter He who is our peace in the middle of the storms you are facing today, but that you BECOME the peace (the EYE of the storm) that settles the score.....John 14:27 “I’m leaving you peace. I’m giving you my own peace. I’m not giving it to you as the world gives. So, don’t let your hearts be troubled, and don’t be afraid."

I love Ryan Stevenson's song, “In the Eye of the Storm”......
“In the eye of the storm, You remain in control.
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul.
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn.
Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm."

Better to be Patient than Powerful

Patience is what we should pray for, but when we do.....it seems we encounter even more reasons to pray "Lord, give me patience, but PLEASE give it to me NOW!!!"

As I type this post I'm asking God to forgive me for my IMPATIENCE. I loved my neat and tidy world here in Tulsa. Beautiful home. Wonderful friends. Sweet family members. Awesome churches. Needs met. Many connections for faith and outreach. THEN, my home sells and I hear God's voice and feel His nudge...."Time to move on!" I take those words in with great excitement, energy and motivation and I set out to make it all happen. But, while I'm putting together my must do's, strategies, and deadlines, I'm hearing God say "Slow down. Don't be in such a rush. Be patient. Instead of being a "human doing", I want you to be a "human being" -- being in My presence while I take control of it all."

Seriously, I don’t consider myself someone who grasps for power, but as I get closer to my leaving Tulsa date (around November 8th or 9th), I realize I want power over certain things. I want to control how this transition will go. I want everything all neat and tidy there like it's been here. So I've relentlessly looked for homes online, had my kids running all over to check out properties for me and even driven to Texas (several times) to check out the homes.

Then I read that scripture "Better to be patient than powerful." (Proverbs 16:32). Suddenly what I realize, all this need to make it happen, is different than patience. Because patience is about receiving. It’s about believing that everything will work out. It’s about resting in the shade of God’s love instead of toiling in the sun of striving.

Patience isn’t just about time; it’s also about trust. It’s about saying, “I don’t have to be in control. I don’t have to hold the power because I know the One who does. And He is for me. He is always working on my behalf. And this means I don’t have to strive or reach for control.” The truest work of patience is when I realize that even more than having to be in control is being cared for by SOMEONE who truly loves me.

Then, I let out a sigh of relief as I realize all over again that God is for me and His plans are for my good. He has been so patiently waiting for me to get it. I'm sure it's a really good idea to succomb to His agenda for my life. Instead of asking God to get onboard my train as a passenger, I think I'll move to the caboose and let Him engineer this ride. I expect He'll stop it RIGHT at the place and RIGHT at the time when it's best for Him AND me!

Better to be Patient than Powerful

Patience is what we should pray for, but when we do.....it seems we encounter even more reasons to pray "Lord, give me patience, but PLEASE give it to me NOW!!!"

As I type this post I'm asking God to forgive me for my IMPATIENCE. I loved my neat and tidy world here in Tulsa. Beautiful home. Wonderful friends. Sweet family members. Awesome churches. Needs met. Many connections for faith and outreach. THEN, my home sells and I hear God's voice and feel His nudge...."Time to move on!" I take those words in with great excitement, energy and motivation and I set out to make it all happen. But, while I'm putting together my must do's, strategies, and deadlines, I'm hearing God say "Slow down. Don't be in such a rush. Be patient. Instead of being a "human doing", I want you to be a "human being" -- being in My presence while I take control of it all."

Seriously, I don’t consider myself someone who grasps for power, but as I get closer to my leaving Tulsa date (around November 8th or 9th), I realize I want power over certain things. I want to control how this transition will go. I want everything all neat and tidy there like it's been here. So I've relentlessly looked for homes online, had my kids running over to check out properties for me. A "real deal" shows up and I think "This must be the one!"

Then I read that scripture "Better to be patient than powerful." (Proverbs 16:32). Suddenly what I realize, all this need to make it happen, is different than patience. Because patience is about receiving. It’s about believing that everything will work out. It’s about resting in the shade of God’s love instead of toiling in the sun of striving.

Patience isn’t just about time; it’s also about trust. It’s about saying, “I don’t have to be in control. I don’t have to hold the power because I know the One who does. And He is for me. He is always working on my behalf. And this means I don’t have to strive or reach for control.” The truest work of patience is when I realize that even more than having to be in control is being cared for by SOMEONE who truly loves me.

Then, I let out a sigh of relief as I realize all over again that God is for me and His plans are for my good. He has been so patiently waiting for me to get it. I'm sure it's a really good idea to succomb to His agenda for my life. Instead of asking God to get onboard my train as a passenger, I think I'll move to the caboose and let Him engineer this ride. I expect He'll stop it RIGHT at the place and RIGHT at the time when it's best for Him AND me!