Prepared for the Storm?

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 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. Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT)
 
According to this morning’s NY Times, “Ian has become the 46th Category 4 or 5 hurricane in the Atlantic over the past 20 years….that’s about as many as occurred during the last 40 years of the 20th century.” The article clearly suggests that these storms are happening a lot more frequently because the water in the Atlantic ocean is warming. So, if we know a storm is coming, how do we prepare?

That question is not about the weather. In life, we know that storms are always brewing. We may not know the type of storm that is coming – it could be financial, relational, medical, or even spiritual – but the conditions for storms are all around us. How is your preparation plan? Do you have enough faith to weather a storm in life? We would do well to invest in building up our spiritual strength in the same way that we secure insurance plans. There is no reason to be caught off guard or unprepared for the storms of life.

Choose now to get the wisdom, relationships, and safeguards in place so that if (or when) the winds turn contrary you can remain safe. Jesus is the central piece that we need in our lives. But merely knowing about Jesus is not the same as having a growing and developing relationship with the Son of God. Jesus’ love, goodness, and grace will shelter you in any storm that life brings your way. But first, you must trust Him and learn to rely upon Him more and more by reading the Word, praying, and being engaged in a growing Christian community. So again, I ask, are you prepared for the storm?

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;  the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)

Loving and praying for you,
Pastor Danielle