Life’s Thunderstorms

Ominous dark clouds dictated the need to move quickly. “The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for this area. A severe thunderstorm is approaching the stadium. For your safety, we ask that all spectators seek shelter immediately. Please leave the seating areas and proceed to the nearest designated enclosed shelter. Follow the directions of stadium staff and security personnel, and do not remain in the stands or in the open areas. Please remain in a designated shelter until further notice. Your safety is our highest priority.”

No one felt safe as the wind increased and the rain began. Shoved into a column of people, I wondered if those around me felt the need to panic. Thankfully, calmness prevailed. And thankfully, the weather system passed.

Life’s thunderstorms are every bit as real as those nature hurls our way, and my recent encounter with a stadium evacuation gave me pause for reflection. The sun does not and will not always shine, and circumstances can change in a nanosecond. A call from hospice, a lab report, a doctor’s diagnosis, a string of sleepless nights, an unforseen bill, a betrayal, a siren, a business failure, an unexpected move, an uncalled for comment, or the inability to complete an assignment threaten to bring dark clouds, swirling wind, sharp lightning, and pelting rain into our lives. Such events wreak havoc on our equilibrium and reveal how vulnerable we really are. Humanly speaking, we need an evacuation plan that works. Thank the Lord, one is spelled out for us in the Word of God.

“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower.

The righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

• The Name of the Lord depicts the character of the Lord. He is loving, welcoming, compassionate. With arms open wide, He welcomes us as we run (rush) to Him. Our God stands available to protect, defend, and calm. His Name lifts us above our circumstances, providing mental, physical, and emotional safety where He willingly shelters us with security and encouragement.

• With dispatch, with intentionality, we must choose where to go. Hesitation, dawdling, and second-guessing make us vulnerable to the world and to the enemy. The longer we wait, the more susceptible we are to danger. We must act, and we need to act quickly.

• A supernatural evacuation plan offers a supernatural outcome. In thunderstorms, we long for strength, stability, and safety. Though our circumstances may or may not improve, life has taught me that by running quickly to our loving Lord, we find the Refuge desperately needed.

Prayer: “Father, in life’s inevitable thunderstorms, teach me to speedily exercise Your trustworthy evacuation plan and run to the strong tower of Your Name. While I wait for the all-clear, may I savor the strength, stability, and safety You faithfully provide.”

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Phillippians 1:21

Why do you think we long for strength, stability, safety when caught in one of life’s thunderstorms?

When were you last caught in such a thunderstorm, and how effective was your “evacuation plan”? Where did you run?

Summer Secrets for Rest, Part 3

Rest is Realized in a Timeless Place

“The summer ran away with my rest!” Does this sound like something you want to declare here in August as the clock ticks and autumn approaches?

If so, you are not alone. When we feel the season slipping away, a sense of urgency pushes us to reach out and still grasp that elusive replenishment of the soul we thought would accompany summertime.

But consider this: even if your expectations for r & r were not met (if it rained every day at the beach, if a sprained ankle spoiled a hike in the mountains, if the boss sent an unwanted and untimely email announcing job restructuring), there remains grand and glorious news: what Jesus offers is not seasonal. HE is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He promises the ultimate Happy Place, “In Thy Presence is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11)

Three Truths for Seasonal Transition

1. The calendar does not control rest.

2. Rest is a permanent Place with Him.

3. Rest awaits me every single morning of the year as I go alone with Bible, journal, and coffee to enter His Presence and meet with my Savior.

Hallelujah!

Recap of our Summer Secrets Series Summer Secret #1: Rest is Discovered in a Person “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.” Psalm 62:1

Summer Secret #2: Rest is Found in a Pursuit “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

Summer Secret #3: Rest is Realized in a Timeless Place “In Thy presence is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11

 Living With Eternal Intentionality® 

“For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)

1. How have your expectations for summer been realized, or how have they been unfulfilled?

2. What stood in the way of your soul's rest?

3. In view of the above answers, describe a fresh appreciation for Hebrews 13:8 and Psalm 16:11.

4. From the three part serice, which secret has been most meaningful to you? Why?

Summer Secrets for Rest, Part 2

Rest Is Found in a Pursuit

As the 250th anniversary of our nation approaches, I find myself reflective. Patriotism pulses through my veins; my DAR membership documents my direct descent from a Revolutionary War patriot. The sight of Old Glory brings chills, and I never tire of hearing the “Star-Spangled Banner”. After living within the confines of communism, more than fireworks are needed to express the gratitude that wells up inside of me for my country.

But today, our topic, Rest Is Found in a Pursuit, reaches much further back than 250 years, and the Voice we hear comes from The One Who promises an eternal freedom He gave His life to secure. And His remains the last and best Word on Rest. Let’s listen to His invitation.

Jesus says, “Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden.” Though weariness is inevitable, how we respond determines the quality of our lives.

When saturated with weariness and exhausted from burdens, human nature urges us to take matters into our own hands and pursue familiar solutions. We exercise (a wise choice), or grab a book (a good idea), or call a friend (a reasonable option). But life has taught me this principle: our longed-for and much-needed supernatural rest only comes when we respond to Jesus’ invitation and make our way to Him.

Three Questions Emerge

1. Where do we find Him? Assuredly, we find Him in His Word and by His Spirit. Jesus never wants to elude us. “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

2. How do we come to Him? We embark on this pursuit with eagerness, with expectation, with intentionality. We find a quiet spot (a bedroom chair, a park bench, a wooded path, a library corner) and we stop.

3. What can we expect from Him? Rest. Mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional relief from weariness. His rest is rest at its best. And our Lord never fails to keep His promise.

Listen again. Pause and listen. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

 Living With Eternal Intentionality® 

This midpoint in the summer is a great time to consider our deep need for rest, rest which only Jesus can provide. The gentle words, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you,” (James 4:8) suggest where to begin. And always, we pursue Him because He first pursued us.

Review Summer Secret #1: Rest is Discovered in a Person “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.” Psalm 62:1

Summer Secret #2: Rest is Found in a Pursuit “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29