C’mon, baby, let’s do the twist!

Okay, so I’m old.  I don’t actually remember this song except from the golden oldies’ stations, but admittedly, they were still “rockin’ ‘round the clock” when I made my humble appearance on the scene.

But that’s not the reference I’m aiming at.  It’s that twister wind storm time of year here in the Midwest, Joplin being our near neighbor to the south, and Dorothy and Toto living a mere half hour away.  Rumor has it that the National Weather Service out of Kansas City sports the moniker of “Keepers to the Gates of Hell”.  And let’s not forget Oklahoma, (I’m sure Oneta knows what I’m talking about!), the place on the globe with the dubious honor of “most tornadoes”. 

So, hey, this season is generally when the weatherman is r-e-a-l-l-y important to us out here in corn and cattle country.  I’m grateful for the technological advances that can allow people to sit in their living rooms and track the twister’s path, seeking shelter by being warned in advance.  (Unless, of course, you’re one of the those who go out to look at the sky…like Bob.  But that’s for a different analogy.)

We’ve all heard the phrase Life Happens, (or it’s less delicate facsimile).  And there’s a WHOLE LOT of life we can at least somewhat predict (if “a” then “b”) in terms of consequences, and therefore wisely avoid, or least hunker down in appropriate shelter until the storm passes.

Then there are those events that blindside us, like the tornado that drops out of the sky unawares.  We knew the sky was a bit gray, but we didn’t see THAT coming!  This, invariably, happens to Christians and non-Christians…period.  The Bible itself tells us that such circumstances are a given:

 “Even when I walk through the darkest valley,…”

“So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.  Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!”

Interestingly, the concept of surging waters was an ancient metaphor for chaos and disorder.  And some of us feel like we’re barely treading that water on a daily basis!  But whether it’s internal or external (or both!), it’s important not to leave out the other parts of these verses:

“…I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

Tornadoes threaten to blow through my life, leaving me twisted completely out of shape.  But when God is my refuge, though trouble may come (and it does), I must maintain my encouragement that His presence and help will always be more than sufficient. 

In all seasons of life, He’s even better than the weatherman!

Ps 23:4, Psalm 46: 1-3 Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.