We all know that in this life there will be storms. Not just the kind with thunder and lightning, but the kind that bring devastation into our lives. We've been told that these emotional, relational and spiritual squalls will make us stronger and better Christians on the other side. Some of us have even experienced that phenomenon firsthand.
I've been through a little "bad weather" myself and I've watched family and friends endure a tidal wave of bad news, heartbreak, disease and loss. All this time, I've viewed these storms as something we were asked to weather but recent time spent in God's Word brought this question to mind:
What if in some cases we should be seeking out these storms?
I know. It sounds crazy.
Who goes looking for trouble? It reminds me of the movie Twister. I never understood how someone would willingly chase tornadoes for a living. I spent my West Texas childhood fearing twisters and hiding to stay out of their way. To this day, a tornado warning on TV is enough to accelerate my breathing.
You know what else sounds crazy? Read the following passage from Jeremiah:
8 “Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives.
I've been dwelling on this passage for the last week or so because, like so many parts of the Bible, it seems counterintuitive. How does waving the white flag to the guys who are pummeling your city ensure that you will live? I mean, it's one thing to brace yourself for an attack and pray that God will see you through but it's a completely different thing to barge in front of the firing squad.
I was reminded a few days ago that the story of Jonah has a similar element. Instead of waiting on board the boat for the storm to pass, he knew that the answer was to jump headfirst into the raging sea. (Maybe I added the headfirst part but that's always how I've pictured it - a hasty swan dive of sorts.)
Point being this, many of us spend our lives hiding in storm shelters, hoping to avoid destruction. A dedicated few may weather their storms with grace and dignity, but how many of us actually seek them out? How many of us pray, Lord, take me through the storm that I may grow closer to you? How many of us are storm chasers?
To be honest, I don't know exactly what that would look like in our lives. Perhaps it means surrendering to missions on a dangerous field. Maybe it means inviting a storm of criticism by speaking the truth in love. Whatever shape it takes, I know one thing for sure. I want to take the "way of life" the Lord speaks of in Jeremiah. If that means chasing storms like a crazy person, then so be it.
To quote Twister, "I gotta go Julia. We got cows."
Point being this, many of us spend our lives hiding in storm shelters, hoping to avoid destruction. A dedicated few may weather their storms with grace and dignity, but how many of us actually seek them out? How many of us pray, Lord, take me through the storm that I may grow closer to you? How many of us are storm chasers?
To be honest, I don't know exactly what that would look like in our lives. Perhaps it means surrendering to missions on a dangerous field. Maybe it means inviting a storm of criticism by speaking the truth in love. Whatever shape it takes, I know one thing for sure. I want to take the "way of life" the Lord speaks of in Jeremiah. If that means chasing storms like a crazy person, then so be it.
To quote Twister, "I gotta go Julia. We got cows."
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