One of my favorite Biblical verses is taken from the Song of Songs, “Many waters cannot quench love nor can floods drown it” (Song 8:7 NKJV). I lived near the coast for enough years to experience tropical storms and hurricanes. Those of you residing in Houston remember the devastation caused by a storm that sat over the Gulf Coast area and did not move. Everything, even the overpasses of major freeways submerged under water.
I think of the times when it appeared that the floodgates opened and the area would never see dry land again. Damage from the wrath of the storm overwhelmed us, and we fought to recover and rebuild. Living in the area, we knew that storms were a frequent occurrence, so we attempted to find ways to prevent as much damage as possible when the waters overwhelmed us. Life had to go on. We had to rebuild.
We face massive storms in our lives. Sometimes it seems as if there is no relief in site. The waters keep coming. We can’t seem to get on “dry land.” We find ourselves caught up in the flood and try to swim to safety. Our hope is that there is something close that will give us shelter.
And when we are thrashing in the water, faith steps in. We are guided by Divine strength and hope that, while the storm continues, there is a place to rest, to be renewed. A heavenly light leads us to rebuild the most damaged recesses of our souls. The storm comes to inflict its wrath, but God comes to put loving arms around us until the sun shines and the waters recede back from where they came.
Today I am grateful for the promise found in the Scripture text, reminding me of God’s faithfulness. I continue through the wilderness to ponder and think of the many revelations through my Lenten journey of God’s presence. My hope is that we all continue to journey, we run the race, and we hold fast during the times of horrific storms. Thanks be to God, who gives us the strength to continue our journey.
From a Pastor's Point of View 