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The Storm Before the Storm

Whoever talked about the quiet before the storm lived in a simpler time. I think many of our lives could be described as the storm before the next storm. Take, for instance, August and September. For any family with school age children, for any Church worker dealing with planning kick-off events, or for anyone unfortunate to be planning kick-off events while at the same time having school age children, you know this feeling.

It makes me think of Job. Do you think Job ever gets tired of being the example of life kicking you while you're down? I bet he does. I bet he looks at his life and asks why we're not paying attention. After all, Job is the guy who lost it all and said, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised" (Job 1:21). Unless I'm wrong, Job is also the guy who lost his family and all his earthly possessions, conversed with God, and then apologized. Imagine getting beat up and then apologizing to the guy who beat you up.

Maybe Job is not the best example. Perhaps, as is usually the case, we should look to Jesus. This is the God-man who never got a break in His ministry but still somehow found time to slip away and spend time with His Father. It was Jesus who not only understood His purpose, but played it out perfectly. His life was one storm after another. The storms He didn't still He allowed because He knew a couple of things. He knew that storms have a purpose. He also knew that storms pass.

So, to everyone out there with school age children or planning kick-off events, or to anyone who is going from one storm to the next in life right now, I offer you this encouragement. Jesus and Job went in one end and made it out the other praising God. You can do the same.
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