Confusion: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Confusion

Above the raging storm

splitting trees,

sliding hills,

wind driven devastation

the sun reigns still and calm.

Within the swirling life

driving doubts

destitute choices

harangued with confusion

the Lord continually reigns with love.

Reflection Storm: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you ever been in a situation when suddenly in an instant you have become isolated either physically due to a storm, or emotionally due to a broken relationship?  What feelings began to overwhelm you?

2.     Did it create a crisis of faith for you or a deepening? What made the difference?

3.     How did you find the willpower or courage to take a step towards hope?

4.     In what ways has that experience given you faith in later upheavals?

Share: How do you find the Lord’s loving presence in the midst of chaos?

Storm:Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”

As a city child I had not fully experienced the power of a northern storm until one summer visiting with my aunt on a secluded lake in Ontario. We had watched the sun set when dark clouds rolled across the sky and blackened out any view. It was as if someone had thrown black paint across the window. My aunt hurriedly ran to turn off any lights that were on and darkness immersed the room where I stood. Hesitantly I leaned towards the window wondering why I couldn’t see.

Suddenly lighting split the sky in a giant flash briefly capturing the outline of trees, like a photograph, then the darkness swallowed up everything again. I stood frozen with fear. It had seemed to strike the lake right in front of the window and as I heard the rumble of thunder I didn’t know where to run and hide before it flashed again.

My aunt quietly put her arms around me and together we watched. My shaking gradually subsided into wonder and astonishment. Although too young to have the words then to capture that first storm the ‘photo’ shot become a permanent memory complete with sound effects.

We spent all the next week cleaning up far-flung debris. The storm had shut down electricity. Fallen trees blocked the narrow dirt road leading to the cottage and my uncle couldn’t get through for a few days. I had no real concept then of its wide devastation. My aunt had turned a terrifying storm into a respect for its beauty and power.

We may have to face many storms alone without physical arms to hold us, but we will always have the Lord’s love to protect and sustain us. His invisible arms around us cannot be removed when we trust in Him and allow faith and hope to remind us of His comforting power.

Lord, please give us hearts to cling to you with trust, and do not let our fears bring confusion.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 91:1-3

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress,

My God in whom I trust!’

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper,

And from the deadly pestilence.”