Apples of Gold

Our recent vacation was interrupted by a tropical storm. The expected time in the sun and sand was whisked away and replaced by clouds, wind and lots of rain. The beginning of our getaway involved much more time in our Airbnb than we hoped for. Thankfully, the storm did not develop into something bigger and before long the sun began to peak through the clouds and we prepared to hit the beach!

Storms have a way of changing the shoreline. Large deposits of sand appear and many times the shore is left littered with an odd combination of trash and treasure. A massive amount of power is unleashed on the ocean during a storm. The waves increase dramatically in size and force as they not only pound the shore but churn up things that have been lying dormant on the ocean floor for who knows how long.

After the clouds part, treasure hunters invade the beach; like an army of shoppers in search of a deal on Black Friday. Each one is looking for something special. The surge is indiscriminate and interlaced with the treasure is also a smattering of debris that has been drawn in as well.

Many of us have been weathering turbulent circumstances in our lives.  Some storms have been rather on the long side, others downright ferocious. God often uses spiritual storm surge to uncover things that have been dormant in our lives, both the treasure and the trash. One thing we can count on, in the middle of these storms, He is close by.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through times of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

There is no need to waste my time and energy wondering where God is. My efforts could be put to better use discerning the value of the storm. What can I learn? How can I grow? Who can I bless? Is the storm surge dislodging and propelling items toward the shoreline in order for me to discover them? 

We each have things we have allowed to remain buried deep within us. Sometimes we buried them ourselves, hoping they would never reappear and the confrontation would be averted. Yet here they come, a bit rusty and worse for the wear perhaps, but they are back. We must take time to gather the treasure and deal with the trash. Distinguishing between the two can bring it’s own challenges. In fact there are times that trash can be transformed into treasure with a bit of hard work and perseverance!

Sometimes the storm resurfaces promises made, dreams that have been delayed, action we have avoided. On the surface the storm appears to be completely destructive, but along with the damage comes immense transformation. There is beauty in the storm but it often seems to be hidden. It is the difficult times that seem to forge the character of God in our lives. 

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

God wants to change us. He wants Jesus to be visible in our lives. As we walk through the tough stuff a group of observers is looking on. They are watching our responses, listening to our commentary; and if we are doing it right, they are catching a glimpse of Jesus. 

It is not exclusively about the watchers. It is also very much about us. 

All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the thing we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:15-18

Storms are guaranteed in this life. What are yours revealing about your character? If things around you are dark and dreary remember God is always working for your good and he is always close in times of trouble. The storm has been to designed not to destroy you but to transform you.

The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34:17-19