“A refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain” (Isaiah 4:6)
It was the last week of October 1991. Four major weather components converged to create a catastrophic event that culminated on Halloween, October 30th. That rare meteorological phenomena became known as “The Perfect Storm.” It all began a few days prior, on October 26 when a cold front settled on the east coast of the United States, an extratropical low moved into eastern Nova Scotia, a strong high-pressure center moved over eastern Canada, and Hurricane Grace formed as a category 2 storm off the coast of Bermuda. By the time all four storms converged, wave heights in the Atlantic reached 100 feet, with winds over 70 mph. The Massachusetts coastline was hit the worst.
When I contemplate storms, I can’t help but think of the storm that came upon the Sea of Galilee when the disciples found themselves in a boat swamped with water and facing great danger. Stricken with panic, they woke Christ who was peacefully asleep, shouting, “Master, we’re going down!” Now, I figure this storm must have been very intimidating. Most of these disciples were fishermen. Storms on the sea were a normal event in their occupation. But this storm on Galilee scared their sandals right off their feet. In this storm these men who Christ would use to take over the world, learned what faith was all about. For them, that storm was their Perfect Storm.
I’ve had storms in my life. I’m sure you have also. Some of my storms have names like struggles, problems, difficulties, challenges, disappointments. Those were the mild ones. But I have also experienced storms that I would call large tempests. The ones where the ocean swells and hurricane winds have almost overtaken me. Those I would name crisis, distress, pain, sorrow, loss. But you know what? Those storms have taught me more than any quiet, tranquil day I have ever had. It’s the lessons in the storms that have had the greatest impact in my life. It has been the wisdom gained by experiencing the depth of God’s grace through the worse trials and stresses of life and ministry. It has been the abundance of God’s mercy that has carried me through the raging tempest of losing our son. It has been the gift of hope and healing that has filled my heart through the howling winds of cancer, multiple surgeries, and medical complications. It has been the confident assurance that the Lord has placed in my heart that these storms will pass, and heaven awaits me.
Struggling through every storm in life has led me to the conclusion that when we come out of the storm, we should not be the same person who walked into it. I think that is what the storms of life are really all about. And that is what makes each storm we face – The Perfect Storm.
Darlene
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