Who doesn't find it difficult to wake up when it's raining outside? It can be so peaceful just to sit and listen to the rain pitter-patter on the roof and windows. People say it's the rhythm that does it- that just lulls us back to sleep. Perhaps that is true for most people, but not for me.
In my case, I LOVE to just sit and enjoy the solitude whenever it is storming outside- not just raining, but the worse it gets, the more peaceful I am (to a point). Why? Because there's just something amazing about sitting a few feet from a raging storm, watching it thrash, and feeling the stillness in the air, the comfortable temperature, and all the comforts of a safe place. I never appreciate my home until its protection is being fully realized by sheltering me from the very real storms of life. When it's sunny and shiny out- well, the inside just doesn't seem all that grand, does it?
And this, I believe, is the picture of the Christian life. God does not remove the storms (or at least, not always), but he DOES provide security (sometimes in the eternal sense) in the midst of them. In the words of Spafford : "Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to know, it is well, it is well with my soul". Would we ever really know peace as distinct from the blessings of this world if it were not for God's protective hand on us when things really get out of hand?
I don't have all of the answers for why tragedies and terrible things happen, but I do know that God is working all things to good for me; and while his peace is always with me, it is most realized in the midst of the storms.
In my case, I LOVE to just sit and enjoy the solitude whenever it is storming outside- not just raining, but the worse it gets, the more peaceful I am (to a point). Why? Because there's just something amazing about sitting a few feet from a raging storm, watching it thrash, and feeling the stillness in the air, the comfortable temperature, and all the comforts of a safe place. I never appreciate my home until its protection is being fully realized by sheltering me from the very real storms of life. When it's sunny and shiny out- well, the inside just doesn't seem all that grand, does it?
And this, I believe, is the picture of the Christian life. God does not remove the storms (or at least, not always), but he DOES provide security (sometimes in the eternal sense) in the midst of them. In the words of Spafford : "Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to know, it is well, it is well with my soul". Would we ever really know peace as distinct from the blessings of this world if it were not for God's protective hand on us when things really get out of hand?
I don't have all of the answers for why tragedies and terrible things happen, but I do know that God is working all things to good for me; and while his peace is always with me, it is most realized in the midst of the storms.
Sitting by this window
Watching the rain outside
A sudden peace, grips my heart
Though storms control the night
And I am grateful in this solitude
Thankful for where I am
Here in this place that shelters me
Greater for the storm that it withstands
And the only way I know your peace
Is the storm that is around me
And the stillness you have made
And the only way I know your love
Is the void that is around me
And the fullness you have made
Feeling these tears running down my face
Heart broken in need of comfort
I can't understand these fears around me
And the reasons that I am so hurt
You never said life would be easy
Now that I walk with you
But now you surround me with all that you are
My heart and spirit forged anew
And the only way I know your peace
Is the storm that is around me
And the stillness you have made
And the only way I know your love
Is the void that is around me
And the fullness you have made
The lights flash and flicker
As the storm crashes these walls
And the whole shakes with the sound of thunder
But stands through it all
And the only way I know your peace
Is the storm that is around me
And the stillness you have made
And the only way I know your love
Is the void that is around me
And the fullness you have made
And the only way I know your hope
Is the storm that is around me
And the stillness you will make
And the only way I know your grace
Is the sin that is within me
And the way I have been saved
Sitting by this window
Watching the rain outside