Words to Grow On

January 23, 2006

Seek Shelter

By

Brenda McKay

Scripture:  Psalm 61

Without warning the tornado siren pierced the night air in the community IU live in.  All residence was told to immediately seek shelter via the local RV network and radio station.  Since I was home alone I quickly headed to the basement holding our cast, my cell phone, a battery operated radio and a flashlight.  Over the static filled radio airwaves instructions were given to remain in a safe place for about an hour until the danger passed.

In addition to the radio it was difficult to hear my cell phone connection.  I heard a crackling noise as I tried to warn my son who was on his way home from work about the impending storm.  Fortunately I was able to connect long enough for him to realize that he needed to wait out the storm in a nearby community before completing the last leg of his journey.

Storms do occur in real life!  Disruptive moments happen and suddenly we feel as if our whole world is spinning around us.  News such as loss of a job, test results indicating deteriorating health, the unexpected death of a loved one and events like the blackout that occurred on August 14th, 2004 can hurl us into survival mode.

On February6 3rd, 2003 an unforeseen storm thrashed into my life.  In disbelief my mind whirled when a state trooper appeared at The Salvation Army building holding a familiar wallet in his hand.  He quickly reported that my husband had been involved in a fatal traffic accident.  Immediately, I cried out, “Lord, this can’t be happening!” Friends and family swiftly arrived on the scene to offer their loving and prayerful support.  During the ensuing days and months since this tragic loss I have needed a refuge!

When problems in this world seem to overtake us we do need a safe haven.  Just as we hopefully have a p0lace to retreat in a life-threatening situation we need a secure place to turn when faced with adversity.  When confronted with devastating news what do we do?  In Psalm 91 David expressed where to find safety. “He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty.  I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

Life can be so unpredictable!  Without an anchor to help ys buffet the winds we encounter we can be tossed about on the sea of life losing direction and hope.  Bertha Calloway wrote, “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”  I could not change the course of the ravaging gale on February 3rd, 2003, but I have learned through this tragedy that I can choose to seek the comforting shelter of my Heavenly Father.

The static of this world threatens to keep us from daily communicating with the one who desires to be our refuge.  When an abrupt tempest assaults us we need to know where to seek shelter.  Then we’ll be able to echo these words, “Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.”  (Psalm 61 NKJV)