In the midst of the storm
I am writing this blog as the winds are picking up outside thanks to storm Eunice. I have been watching as my back fence (which was already pretty shaky) is being swayed back and forth on it’s posts and just waiting for the inevitable to happen. There is nothing I can do to try to stop this, we are in the midst of the storm and powerless to do anything.
It has occurred to me that just like my poor fence, life’s storms can blow you about, knock you off your feet, pull you this way and that way and no matter how hard you try to keep your feet firmly on the ground, the storm is just too strong.
I am reminded of the verse,
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure
Hebrews 6 v 19.
When you think of an anchor, you picture the heavy object that’s tied to a ship that keeps it secured to the bottom of the sea. An anchor is something that provides a firm foundation and security, and in the case of my fence the posts cemented into the ground. In the Bible, the term anchor is used metaphorically to represent our faith in God. It keeps us steadfast and gives us hope during the trials and storms of life and so Hebrews 6 tells us that it is our hope that is the “anchor for our soul”.
Those firm foundations which were laid down before the storm hit. If laid correctly will hold fast, just as Jesus speaks about in Matthew 7, however, if the time and resources and sense is not put into the foundations of any building, the building will collapse under pressure.
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Matthew 7 v 24-27
I am just wondering, how are your foundations? Have they been laid with great time and care, or perhaps neglected over the years – a little bit like my fence?
Let’s pray…
That in the midst of the storm we will remember that we do have anchor for our souls.
For those who are struggling in the midst of a storm, that they will feel your presence near them today
For those who’s foundations are perhaps a little shaky, that they will find a renewed hope in God
For the financial pressures which come with needing to make repairs after storm Eunice.
Written by Naomi Ackland, Office Coordinator