Irene.

Hurricane Irene.

Irene means peace.  

I beg to differ.  Hurricane Irene is everything its name is not.  The fury of chaos in the media and at the superstores has heightened emotions and rushed adrenalin.  Everyone is in a hurry to get ready for the unexpected damage and foiled plans for the end of August.  Unlike the other major hurricanes that have hit the East Coast, this one has given everyone time to prepare, especially those in the North East.  Batteries?  Check.  Non-perishables?  Check.  Evacuation bag ready?  Check.

In the midst of this hurricane preparation, I can’t help but to think how silly we look to our Heavenly Father.  I picture us like a swarm of ants running to and fro to protect its mound.  Yes, prudence and preparation is wise.  God does give us the responsibility to steward our families, homes, and environment.

But what about the stewarding of our souls? 

And what about the call to share Jesus with others?  

If only we treated eternal matters with such passionate attention.  Do we believe in Jesus?  Check?  Have we trusted God to order our lives?  Check.  Are we spreading the Gospel and God’s love to others?  Check.

Although we mean to have our faith and relationship with Christ “in check,” we often treat our faith as a walk on the beach, until the tidal waves of life come crashing forth with swells of hurricane force. Unlike Hurricane Irene, we often have no warning of impending danger and can’t prepare in just the nick of time.  Imagine, however, if our faith was so solid, so secure that no matter what blows in with the front, we are prepared, steady on a God we trust and at peace with the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling richly in our souls.  Imagine if we had no regret, during the post crisis times, because we lived well in the sunshine and rain, sharing Christ with others in word and deed, during blessings and trials.

Quite possibly, this horrendous Hurricane Irene is indeed about peace.  Maybe, just maybe, God is trying to usher a peace into our souls through the chaos of this storm by teaching us to make Him our first priority, all the time.

How will you respond, even if you find yourself safe from its wicked wake?

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Matthew 7:24-25

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

Psalm 18:2

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.

 

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