The eye of the storm is that still, calm place in the middle of a storm. We may think we’ve been in a storm for some time now with the fierce intensity of the pandemic and the political and racial issues and now Hurricane Isaias has prompted warnings in the Bahamas and parts of Florida. I have known violent weather, spiritual and physical storms. I was tossed about and worn out by them. I also know the eye of the storm when peace prevailed as storms swirled around about me. I realized God actually kept us in the “eye” of the storm throughout the storm. And, better yet, I’ve realized that I can actually BE the eye of the storm for others in the middle of their situations, conflicts, stresses, circumstances and controversies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t we desire that others see something genuine in us that represents a safety net for them \u2013 someone to go to for consolation, for comfort, for wisdom, for assurance that everything is going to be alright? That safety net or life-vest that we provide during someone\u2019s storm, can be the \u201ceye of the storm\u201d where they find comfort and solace. That is part of the \u201cLove your neighbor as you love yourself\u201d commandment that Jesus said was second only to \u201cLove the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.\u201d (Matt 22:37-39)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard it said that the longer we are married, the more we start to favor our spouse and even take on each other\u2019s characteristics. Last week, I laughed at my kids, Larry and Staci. Time and again, they would finish each other\u2019s sentences. And, better yet, the more we hang out with God, read His Word, cherish it and speak it, the more we\u2019ll start to look and act like Him and take on His characteristics of peace, calm, love, joy, kindness, etc., and the more we’ll be able to bring about all those characteristics in situations we may be in or encounter. And, when we listen to His Word spoken or read \u2013 we\u2019ll even begin to quote passages of His Words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, if we represent His peace in the middle of chaos, then even our presence, can cause peace to come to the storm. The atmosphere of the storm can change simply because we are so calm and peaceful. He can make us the EYE of the storm, not only to ourselves and our families, but even to those around us.
To you, today, my dear friends and family, I pray you not only encounter He who is our peace in the middle of the storms you are facing today, but that you BECOME the peace (the EYE of the storm) that settles the score\u2026..John 14:27 \u201cI\u2019m leaving you peace. I\u2019m giving you my own peace. I\u2019m not giving it to you as the world gives. So, don\u2019t let your hearts be troubled, and don\u2019t be afraid.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I love Ryan Stevenson’s song, \u201cIn the Eye of the Storm\u201d\u2026\u2026
\u201cIn the eye of the storm, You remain in control.
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul.
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn.
Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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