The imperfect Christian remembers a bright sun filled September morning, leaving home, and going to obtain a background check, from the Sheriffs Department for a new job. On the way back home he stopped to visit a friend. The friend was a very heavy sleeper so the imperfect Christian continued on his way home. When he arrived he was once again totally shocked! His wife in sheer utter shock as well, said a plane had just crashed into one of the Twin Towers in New York! Not long after that we heard people yelling in the background, and a second plane hit the second tower. The imperfect Christians wife said, "They thought that it could be terrorist, and I think that just confirmed it!" The imperfect Christian fell to his knees and cried. One tragedy per year should be more than enough right? The imperfect Christian's best friend and uncle was killed while working on July 4th. July 4th was always a huge family gathering, and on this one the family would mourn. September 11th was much the same.
Storms come in a variety of ways. They can be natural like Irene, that just hit mostly the entire Eastern Seaboard, or they can come in the fashion of a terrorist attack. They can even come in the form of a spiritual attack as well. We do not wrestle flesh, nor blood, but principalities of the dark. Regardless of the storm, the imprefect one tries to remember a few key things:
1. If we allow the storm to expose our dirt, we may go through a cleansing.
If we confess our faults one to another, and pray, then we may be healed, the fervent, effectual prayer of the righteous avails much! James spoke of of Elijah praying for the rain to cease, and then for the rain to once again fall and end the three and a half years of drought, and God honored his request. (James 5:16-18)
2. If we allow the storm to expose our hurt, then we may find strength to heal. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials-gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. (I Corinthians 3:12-15) Healing comes at a price sometimes. In order to heal, you have to have something that hurts. So is reaching Salvation, and being in Christ, like a house on fire? We are judged by the kind of "work" we do. Can you imagine as one preacher illustrated so eloquently... can you imagine your house being on fire while you're in it asleep? You wake up coughing, and on fire. Your spouse is engulfed in flames and the smell of smoke and her buring flesh sickens you instantaneously. You do not have time to go for any valuables, no pets, your kids are upstairs and the roof just caved in, and you heart broken and scared for your life go for broke, and jump through the huge bare spot in what used to be your bedroom wall, and the fire fighter standing outside says to you, "Thank GOD, at least you made it!" How devastating would it be to live a life that would only be self preserving? Can you imagine getting to Heaven and getting the news that your wife/husband and children didn't make it? Please Lord God, let the imperfect losses stop today.
3. If we allow it the storm will expose that work.
James 1:22 says not to be just hearers of the Word, but doers also. Let our work be like the precious metals mentioned in Paul's writing to Corinth, that the imperfect one mentioned in the afore paragraph. Let the fire refine, but not consume. Let us suffer no loss.
4. Finally if we allow ourselves the discipline to praise Him in the storm, the storm will expose His worth.
He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. (Proverbs 25:28)
Even in the toughest of times, we must remember to give Him the praise, and not allow our spirit to fell us. We must have discipline and control. The imperfect one would love to watch the Vuelta A Spain, but baby girl in the first grade y'all (still amazed at this!) has homework. So weakened spirit, tighten up, we have work to do. We have things that need to be taken care of with house and auto maintenance, but we so desperately want to go splurge and buy a new cell phone, or latest trinket! Better yet let's play the lotto until there are not any funds left! Even in the storm be angry and sin not. Keep your mind clear, and praise Him, because just like 9/11, and Irene, that storm doesn't last always! The imperfect one's, uncle may not be present in body, but his spirit is present with the Lord, he is now in his glorified body. The imperfect one prays that along with many other family members and extended family members too see him again in his/their own glorified bodies. The storms expose` could be the greatest manifestation of a miracle that you experience, so hold tight, stay focused, and let the storm bless you, because you have a Savior mighty enough to calm it, and see you through!
Well past the imperfect bed time again! So until next time...
Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J!
