Spring in Central Texas is predictably unpredictable. Weather changes daily. Experience has taught me to keep the batteries charged on my NOAA weather radio and a bookmark set on the area radar on my web browser.

    Not long ago, we had a series of violent spring thundershowers blow through Texas. Winds howled, while radar screens throbbed, and weather reports glowed with yellows, purples, and reds. The bottom of our TV screens were full of alerts, watches, and warnings. Light hail and heavy rains lingered for an hour or so, then they were gone. A few days passed, then a new line of storms blew through on their way to the coast. A few more days passed, then the third round of storms blew through. It was a week of storms.

    Thankfully, no injuries or deaths were reported during our annual rite of passage from winter to spring. In the aftermath of the storms, huge clogs of mess washed into our rivers from storm sewers, broken limbs were strewn in yards, and light dimpling made its appearance on some of the cars. Clocks had to be reset because of power outages and ceilings and roofs examined for water damage. Nothing spectacular, just your normal post-storm clean up.

    Several days of sunshine and warming temperatures, coupled with the rain showers, ignited the life of spring. Buds appeared on trees, leaves burst forth, grass greened up over night, flowers bloomed, and the world suddenly seemed clean and new. Out of the storms came a surge of new life.

    Life is filled with storms. They are predictably unpredictable. They are, however, inevitable.

    Some of the storms are of our own making. Our own sinfulness brings catastrophes and consequences into our lives. Bad decisions lead to all sorts of problems.

    Some storms are part of being trapped in a fallen world. Disasters happen. Health deteriorates. Aging takes its toll.

The issue is not the storm, the issue is how we deal with the storm.

    Some storms are the fallout of other people’s actions. Their sins or bad choices impact us. Their entanglements end up at our door.

    The issue is not the storm. Storms are a part of life. They go with the territory. Some storms are overwhelming, while others are just irritating. Many, however, are just inevitable. We cannot and will not escape all them.

    No, the issue is how we deal with the storms. We can let God use the storms in our lives to awaken us from our spiritual lethargy and rekindle our spiritual passion. Like the storms of spring, many a lukewarm or disinterred believer can have his or her flickering spiritual flame rekindled. Oftentimes it is too late to change the circumstances he or she is immediately facing. Sometimes it is not. Either way, a soul on the brink is ransomed from the abyss and a new vibrancy is found. Life bursts forth.

    Are you facing a storm?

    I’ll offer you no clichés or shortcuts. However, if you are willing to do whatever is necessary to weather the storm, the Holy Spirit can bring you springtime. Whether hard or routine, short or long, expected or unexpected, let the storm reawaken you to your need to walk with the Lord, depend upon his power, and live by his truth. When the storm passes, you’ll be ready to see a new burst of life and experience a deeper walk with God. The resurrection of Jesus is not just about victory over physical death. Resurrection contains the promise of life out death, and life after the storm.

I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 1:19-20)

Title: "After the Storm"
Author: Phil Ware
Publication Date: April 22, 2002

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