Today, I was messaging a friend…actually a lady whom I’ve never personally met, only her mother, and we connected, and now I feel like we are two peas in a pod…anyhow…she was encouraging me to write a few things as we (here in Florida) are preparing for Hurricane Irma.
First of all…can we just pause a moment to pray Irma away. Much like my sweet step-sister Julie posted on her Facebook wall yesterday, “Dear Irma, there’s a huge, empty ocean off to your right. I know you want to cool off. Go. Now.” And might I add, “In the name of Jesus! Amen.”
I believe that we here are either in panic-mode, prep-mode, or get-outta-town-mode (depending as to where you are located) as we await the direction of this massive and dangerous hurricane. Right on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, with intently and prayerfully observing what Texas went, and is going through, many Floridians are preparing one way or the other.
Imagine…two homes, side-by-side, and a catastrophic storm is heading their way. One home has been prepared since the foundation was laid, and they have gone above and beyond to secure all family members, pets, and belongings for the storm. If you were to look in their pantry, you’d think they were preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse.
The other home wasn’t built to withhold powerful winds and rain like their neighbor’s structure. The owners did prepare for a storm, but only as in a “Hurricane Party” mode, with a large sheet of plywood screwed to their home with the words painted, “Bring it on!”.
At the end of this scenario, the neighbors in the well-laid-foundation-prepared-home was secure and fully alive. The “Bring it on” neighbors…suffered severely with loss of a life.
As I type this entry, I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:24-27, “Whoever hears these teaching of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock. Whoever hears these teaching of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. And it fell with a loud crash.”
Friend, the situation between the two homes preparing for the hurricane are not so different from you and me. News flash… “The end is near”, “We are not guaranteed tomorrow”, “Jesus is coming”…you choose your well-known statement. Are you ready? Are you prepared?
Proverbs 21:31 reminds us that God is in control, “Do your best, prepare for the worst – then trust God to bring victory.” I thought The Message translation was more apropos for our current weather conditions.
No matter what happens with Irma, we hope for the best, prepare for the worst, but in the end…God’s in control.
If my life were to be taken by the ravaging effects of the storm, I know-to-know that my foundation in Christ is laid and I will be with Jesus when my time comes. Do you know where you’re going when the time comes? Don’t just hope for the best, but prepare yourself by believing in Christ and putting your trust in Him. Let God be The Boss of your life.
Thanks, Teri, for the encouragement.
Blessings to you and yours.
Stay safe. Love to all, Stephanie
#prayingIrmaaway #goeastwayeastIrma #beprepared #foundationinChrist
