Sometimes …

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’  Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.  He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” (Psalm 91:1-4)

A picture is worth a thousand words, isn’t it?  The image of the small bird hunkered down in the middle of a storm speaks volumes.

The wind was blowing as it usually does in West Texas!  But this particular day, the winds were excessive preceding a cool front bringing with it much needed rain.  As I looked out the dining room window, the momma bird that had only recently hatched her babies was sitting down in the nest covering her little ones throughout the storm. And it was just one of those moments … you know what I’m speaking of … don’t you?

The Scriptures are replete with the imagery of God and the offered protection and care for those who are His people … just like that momma bird was sheltering and protecting her young from the elements with her wings!

It would be a wonderful truth to share that when one chooses to follow the Lord they will not ever have to deal with storms!  It would be a wonderful truth to share that when one chooses to follow the Lord the waters of life and living will always be peaceful and calm!  But I am NOT able to say this is true!  I wish I could … but I can’t!

SOMETIMES … our wants and druthers line up with the Lord’s plans!  SOMETIMES … they don’t!  So how do we handle both of these times?

I don’t know what “storms of life” you are facing right now … but I strongly suspect that each one of us has them.

  • Sometimes it’s facing a decision about moving … away from our comfort zone, our families and friends, our home congregation, etc.
  • Sometimes it’s facing the gripping fears that accompany a lost job!
  • Sometimes it’s the failing health of a family member, loved one or dear friend!
  • Sometimes it’s experiencing the almost crippling effects of watching a son or daughter who has chosen to walk away from the faith and from you!
  • Sometimes it’s facing the challenges of providing care to one’s aging parents!

The fact is … SOMETIMES our wants, likes, preferences and wills just don’t line up with what God has in mind!  But know that if the Lord brings us to it, He will bring us through it.

So much more could be expressed and addressed, couldn’t it?  We ask “why …” and we want our questions to be answered … quickly!  But that’s not the way it works!

Consider these thoughts: Until you and I can learn to bow our head, our very being, before God in everything … in all things … we will not be able to taste the “… peace of God that surpasses all understanding…”  (Philippians 4:7)!

The peace provided like the momma bird covering her babies with her wings through the storm … found exclusively as Paul continues that “…will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

“The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:12)

Bill Fairchild, Jr.

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