Our Inner Security
Our upside-down house - we live upstairs and sleep downstairs - is perched on a hillside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is about 200 yards from the beach. You may think it's an idyllic location and in many ways it is, but when the south westerlies blow, your perspective changes.
Three days ago, we were warned that the worst storm of the winter was imminent and all emergency services were put on alert. Later that evening, as the winds became more intense and howled down the chimney and our large living room window began to flex, I felt just a little vulnerable, if not anxious. We could have been on the deck of a small ship in a stormy sea. It's times like this, especially in the night, when anxieties can surface and hook into all sorts of fears. I sensed this and before going to bed, tried to put everything into God's hands the best I could. I particularly asked for protection for all the homes in our valley. After this, I felt a peace and contentment and surprisingly - and I say that because I'm a light sleeper - I slept like a baby through all the mayhem outside.
Next morning everything was intact, except some fencing had blown down and there was tree debris scattered all around. We turned on the news to see reports of flooding and storm damage and gave thanks that we had got off so lightly. We then had to drive the twenty miles into town and despite the main route into the village being under water and impassable and several large tree branches were partly blocking the other road, we made the journey without incident.
All this reminded me that many things we have taken for granted and even put our security into are being shaken. It's not just the weather and global warming, but the environment, food and fuel supplies and our financial institutions. Without getting into a theological discussion who is doing the shaking, all the signs seem to point to the fact that we are in for a hard time. It is clear the only thing we can be sure of, is to build our sure foundations on God. By that I don't mean just a mental assent to what we are told in the Bible, but a deep heart-knowledge of the Father's love as we surrender to Him. This is free, but is not handed to us on a plate. We need to want it.
"Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire" Hebrews 12:26-29 New International Version
"Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:38-40 New International Version
Three days ago, we were warned that the worst storm of the winter was imminent and all emergency services were put on alert. Later that evening, as the winds became more intense and howled down the chimney and our large living room window began to flex, I felt just a little vulnerable, if not anxious. We could have been on the deck of a small ship in a stormy sea. It's times like this, especially in the night, when anxieties can surface and hook into all sorts of fears. I sensed this and before going to bed, tried to put everything into God's hands the best I could. I particularly asked for protection for all the homes in our valley. After this, I felt a peace and contentment and surprisingly - and I say that because I'm a light sleeper - I slept like a baby through all the mayhem outside.
Next morning everything was intact, except some fencing had blown down and there was tree debris scattered all around. We turned on the news to see reports of flooding and storm damage and gave thanks that we had got off so lightly. We then had to drive the twenty miles into town and despite the main route into the village being under water and impassable and several large tree branches were partly blocking the other road, we made the journey without incident.
All this reminded me that many things we have taken for granted and even put our security into are being shaken. It's not just the weather and global warming, but the environment, food and fuel supplies and our financial institutions. Without getting into a theological discussion who is doing the shaking, all the signs seem to point to the fact that we are in for a hard time. It is clear the only thing we can be sure of, is to build our sure foundations on God. By that I don't mean just a mental assent to what we are told in the Bible, but a deep heart-knowledge of the Father's love as we surrender to Him. This is free, but is not handed to us on a plate. We need to want it.
"Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire" Hebrews 12:26-29 New International Version
"Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:38-40 New International Version
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