Here we go again! It’s Sunday night, and our weather forecasters are warning of severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes through Tuesday morning. And this comes following major destruction and loss of life in several states, including our own, on Friday. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought to myself, and sometimes verbalized, how truly “weather weary” I am. We’ve been blessed, thus far, with only downed limbs, power outages, and lots of leaf clusters throughout the yard. Others nearby have seen much worse.

As I watch the rain outside my front door, I’m recalling other times when storms came calling. The year we were stuck at 12,000 feet on Pike’s Peak in 80 mph winds & whiteout blizzard conditions (including thunder). And racing across Florida in our camper to escape the wrath of a hurricane. Floating down the Current River in an aluminum canoe when a ferocious thunderstorm struck without warning (That was before I knew Ken.) The ice/snow storm that hit in January of 2018, when returning from my sister’s funeral…we waited tucked away on a side road along Highway 60 until MODOT could get a truck out to clear the big hill coming down into Springfield from the east. We’ve had our share of weather events, and these are just a sampling. I imagine you’ve experienced a few as well.

Lots of storms are not weather-related. They come in the form of emergency trips to the hospital, learning of a serious diagnosis, a call from a worried child telling of a serious injury to their child, or that late-night call saying there’s been an accident. Sometimes it’s having to face the end of a relationship we truly believed would last a lifetime. All too often, it comes as an estrangement between parent and child. And I wonder, how do people survive these storms without Jesus by their side?

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they’ve never heard about him? Romans 10:14a-b

And then I wonder, have I at some point neglected to say a comforting word about Jesus to someone who needed to hear it? Have I ignored a “God nudge” thinking I was not equipped to handle the situation? Or was it because I doubted it was really God talking to me, or that the person He advised me to speak with didn’t really want to hear my clumsy attempt at addressing whatever was wrong?

And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? Romans 10:14c

That’s a powerful statement, and it clearly defines our mission here on earth to never be afraid or embarrassed to breathe the name of Jesus to someone who needs to hear it. Our words may seem awkward or overly simplified, but to the ears of a fellow human who is being tossed and turned while enduring one of life’s storms, our heartfelt words can be lifesaving.

I seem to recall a story about Jesus and his disciples crossing the sea when a tremendous storm came up. The disciples were terrified, but Jesus, weary from all the crowds, had found a soft place in the back of the boat to lie his head and fall asleep. Guided by their understandable fear, his disciples woke him. Then Jesus spoke to the wind and waves with a few simple words:

“Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died, and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39b

So, always remember, when the storms of your own life seem to toss you around like a boat on the open sea or the mountain you’re climbing seems to grow taller with each step you take, reach out for the hand of Jesus and let Him carry you safely to your destination. And, when you encounter someone in the midst of their storm, don’t hesitate to share your Jesus with them.