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When Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.A huge storm arose on the lake so that waves were sloshing over the boat. But Jesus was asleep.They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, rescue us! We’re going to drown!”

He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you people of weak faith?” Then he got up and gave orders to the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm.

The people were amazed and said, “What kind of person is this? Even the winds and the lake obey him!”
Matthew 8:23-27 (CEB)

Storms.

We’ve all experienced them.

In our world, depending on your geographic location, you experience first-hand severe weather ranging from a thunderstorm to a hurricane or tornados. Winter can bring its share of baggage to the table, as well, with paralyzing snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures.

Here in Texas, in the midst of “Tornado Alley,” we prepare, especially during this, the season for severe weather.

We follow the weather forecasts closely. We keep the cars under the roof when there’s a possibility of hail. Some of us have special shelters built, in case a tornado does come.

Most of us, however, watch the skies.

Whenever I first moved to Texas, I wasn’t prepared for how the natives responded to a severe weather alert. The tornado sirens blew. I went for cover in our interior bathroom, with my two cats, treasured photos, and a weather radio in hand—but found my late husband standing at the end of our driveway, along with most of the neighbors on our cul-de-sac, surveying the sky.

Looking at the sky.

Checking out the possibilities.

Seeing what we might be coming up against.

Earlier this week, the forecast called for the possibility of severe thunderstorms. And, as a Texan of many years, I know the drill. I pull up a lawn chair for a front-row seat to the action (from the relative safety of my garage).

The heavens did not disappoint. The storm barreled in from the west, about the same time as sunset. I wished I were an artist, to capture the kaleidoscope of colors drawn before my very eyes on God’s canvas. The threat was real, as evidenced by the dark black wall cloud in front, lowering much like a giant window shade over the sun.

But just at the darkest moment, the sunset pierced through, lighting up pieces of the clouds like orange neon signs. Further north, the gray columns of rain were pulsing, as some of our drought-stricken neighbors enjoyed a quench of their thirst.

It was beautiful.

And then it struck me: there’s beauty, even in a storm.

In the storms of life, when you don’t even know if you can put one foot in front of the other. When you think you’re through a major grief event in your life, only to have a twinge take you back to a raw and vulnerable “you.” When you have mundane, tedious tasks piled up, making your day-to-day existence a burden instead of a joy. When there’s nothing in sight but dark clouds, rain, and the possibility of a tornado–there’s still God.

He sent the “Son” to pierce your dark black wall cloud, illuminating the situation when you can’t even see your hand in front of your face.

No matter the storm you may find yourself in the midst of, look up.

As our Master says in the scripture above, “Why are you afraid, you people of weak faith?”

Let Him calm the storm. Let Him be the light.

For the beauty in the storm is always there.

Father, help each of us deal with the storms of life. They come, sometimes in waves. Whether a tornado or a heavy thunderstorm, let us have the peace of knowing You are in the midst of every circumstance. You are the light piercing the darkness. You are the constant in our sometimes chaotic life. Through the study of Your word and spending time with You in prayer, words, actions, or just in our day-to-day living, train us to look for the beauty in everything–even in the midst of a storm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.