A few evenings ago, my wife and I sought shelter in a basement from a possible tornado. We were in our motorhome, parked next to a country church where we were teaching a Vacation Bible School. Late that night, it began to rain and blow with great intensity. A spectacular storm was underway! Outside, lightning was flashing almost continuously making the inside of the motorhome light up like a strobe light. This astonishing light show was accompanied by the reverberating booms of thunder. The rain was hammering on the motorhome with such ferocity that we had to almost shout to be heard. It would have been a fun storm to set back and enjoy … except for that nagging anxiety of a tornado lurking out there in the darkness. You see, we had no cell phone coverage, no television, no radio, no internet, no town sirens, nor neighbors within a mile to warn us of a possible tornado. All we had were our fears. Suddenly, the wind changed direction and slammed into the side of the motorhome. It felt like someone had hit us with a giant sledge hammer. The body of the motorhome began to lift and shake. Needless to say, our prayers turned to action. We grabbed some lights, blankets, and the dog, and ran through slashing wind (70 mph we discovered the next day!) and pelting rain to the shelter of the church. There in the corner of a basement room we found sanctuary. That room was so sheltered that you wouldn’t even know there was a storm raging outside! Marilyn and I were very thankful for the peace and calm we found. We were also reminded that many times in our lives we find ourselves caught up in storms of one kind or another … personal relationships, work situations, finances, etc. So many times we try to “solve” or “fix” the situation by our own strength and power, only to fail miserably. What we should do is turn to God. “ … The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.” (2 Samuel 22:2-3) In God we can find true peace and calm!
Lanny Johnson
