On Monday, I dressed for my day, wearing dark slacks, a thin blouse, and slip-on thin summer shoes.  My rain jacket remained hanging beside my back door, and my rainboots sat inside my closet unworn.  As I parked my vehicle, the storm brewed overhead, while large drops of rain began to fall.  Thankfully, my vehicle contained an umbrella ready to be used.  Yes, thank goodness, I had not left behind my umbrella at home with all my other essential rain attire.  Looking back, I now realize how ill-prepared I was on that particular day, primarily because I had not taken time to watch the weather forecast.

As I grabbed my umbrella, my backpack, my computer, and my water, I attempted to walk across campus to Carter Hall, where I knew I would stow my things.  The downpour was heavy.  Carter Hall sits high upon a hill, positioned higher than the parking lot, so I needed to walk uphill toward my office, while the flooding water from the torrential rainfall poured downhill toward me.  ‘Swimming uphill’ came to my mind as I trudged through the rushing water, attempting to stay dry, but failing, nonetheless.  By the time I reached the outer door, I was drenched.  My pants clung to my legs, my feet were soaking wet, and my body needed a towel.

After placing my things in my office, I went to the ladies’ restroom to attempt to dry off the wetness that covered my arms and feet.  In my head, I knew I still needed to walk from Carter Hall to the Education building, where my first two classes met.  To reach the Education building, I needed to walk downhill.  By the time I reached the building for my 8am class, my feet, arms, and clothing were even more drenched.  ‘Drowned rat’ took on a whole new context for me that day.

Currently, there is a storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, one that has already been named.  Helene could create a life-threatening storm surge, one that could cause waves as high as twenty feet.  Forecasters predict this storm could make landfall as a category four, causing devastation to whatever exists in its path.  Two states:  Florida and Georgia have received warnings and know how Helene could bring destruction.  Many people have evacuated their homes, driving away from the storm until it passes.

With this predicted storm will come copious amounts of rainfall, even as far north as Kentucky, the state where I call home.  Even Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Caroline (the whole southeast) could experience prolonged power outages, downed trees, and flooding.

A storm is coming, and all who live within its path are called to be ready.

The Bible predicts the second coming, a prophecy waiting to occur, one that God has promised will occur.  We who live are called to be ready.

Consider how weather storms reflect in similarity to life-storms and consider how the saturation of water symbolizes the indwelling Holy Spirit of God within all who believe and have placed their faith in Jesus.

• Nothing is more exciting than being in the center of God’s will.  NOTHING!
• Nothing is more meaningful than accomplishing the Lord’s purposes.  NOTHING!

To be used by God and to walk within His plan, His will, must become foremost while our personal, humanistic will becomes abandoned.

• Do you struggle as I do with too many choices?
• Do you struggle to walk within God’s will, finding yourself, as I do, walking not as the LORD would have us go but instead, walking in the way we wish this day to go?

In reading the biblical account of the Passover, I am compelled to see the way the LORD controlled everything!  The LORD instructed the children of Israel, telling them how to prepare, what to do, where to stand ready, when to move, who to follow, where to go, and even why this “Passing Over” was necessary.

“I am” said to His children—

“I am the LORD, . . .”

“I am” said to His children—

“I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, . . .”

“I am” said to His children—

“and I will deliver you from their bondage. . . .”

“I am” said to His children—

“I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.”

“I am” said to His children!

Tropical weather storms will continue to devastate our coastlines.

Heart-wrenching life-storms will continue to come for as long as we walk within our earthly bodies.

We can prepare for the flooding water by watching the weather forecasts, by wearing our rainboots and coat, and by carrying an umbrella to hold overtop our heads.

In the same way, we can prepare for relational storms, career storms and life-storms by placing our trust in Jesus, by studying His Word, and by bending our knees in prayer to the LORD.