Running into the storm

By: Carole L. Haines 

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. (Job:37:5 ESV) 
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: ² “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?³ Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, 
and you shall answer me. (Job 38:1-3 ESV) 

The Lord said to Job. ² “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? 
  Let him who accuses God answer him!” ³ Then Job answered the Lord: ⁴ “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. ⁵ I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.” ⁶ Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm: ⁷ “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” 
(Job 40:1-7ESV) 

One of my favorite things to do has been people-watching. I observed a man strolling across the beach proudly holding a full-size American Flag. The forecast was calling for early morning Thunderstorms. The Beach was empty except for the die-hard surfers who were running out into the ocean during the storm to catch one of the waves. 

Counter to all safety, as lightening was striking the ocean; these die-hard thrill-seekers ran into the storm, not away from it. It was wild. How many of us run toward the storms in our lives. I tend to cower in fear, trying to get away from it; I certainly don’t confidently run right out into it. Perhaps I should run out to meet my storms knowing that My God is teaching me something important through every one, even as He was teaching Job through his horrendous storm. 
Job’s story is so hard to make any sense of; so much suffering, and for what? Just to prove how godly he is. Please, Lord, be merciful to me.  

 and do not point me out to the enemy. Each one of us has those times in our lives that feel like we are suffering senselessly. We know that God is in control but do we can trust Him to bring us through our storms. He has certainly brought me through some things I didn’t think I could survive. And He will bring you through your storms too. Ultimately, God is in control and He is trustworthy. He is faithful and He is good, so let’s try to absolutely let go and let God. Like these seemingly reckless surfers riding the waves right in the middle of an ocean storm. Let’s get on that surfboard with God and ride that wave in faith, expecting Him to bring great good out of it because His word promises us that He will work all things together for our good as we love Him and trust His purpose.