Preparing for the Storm

About this time every year I remember that it is time to get the snow plow on the truck and as always, I seem to have waited to the very last minute. Partially because it is something I dread doing, but mostly because it is difficult and I always forget just how things go (especially the older I get). Every year I tell myself “next year I’ll write down the instructions” and I’ll review them before I make the trip up to the barn.  Typically, my motivation comes just before a big winter storm is scheduled to arrive.

For most the issue of snow is just an inconvenience, which can still be shoveled in the event a snow blower or plow breaks down.  At our house it’s a necessity!  With an eighth of mile long driveway and a 13% grade it’s the difference between driving up, or walking up.  It’s not like I don’t know I live in Vermont and snow is a surprise, …it isn’t and once that reality sets in I get panicked!  It seems to me that the smart thing to do would be to first have a plan, second have a reference to consult if I get lost trying to figure out all the hoses and connections and finally to choose “being prepared” and not  "being panicked"!

I think the Christian life is a lot like preparing for a Vermont winter; only the next “storm” in our life could be just days or even hours away.  After all we know where we live, …”in the midst of a troubled and sinful world and we are not immune from it’s pains”.  Our ability to conquer life’s challenges are directly tied to "our proximity to God".  Our  “reference book” is the bible and reading it on a daily basis keeps us up to date on how to prepare and how to conquer storms.  Having a daily devotional time with prayer reminds us that we are not alone and the strength that we draw from our Lord is sufficient for even the greatest of storms.

Is it any wonder why so many Christians are devastated when something really bad happens?  The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, a diagnosis of cancer or a troubled son or daughter can stop us in our tracks, panicked because we are caught off guard and unprepared.  At times like these Satan has the greatest opportunity to cast us into doubt about and our faith if we don’t know exactly how to hook up the awesome power of Jesus Christ.  For me, it is a necessity to stay in close relationship to my Lord, because I know the "peace and joy of riding on the wings of my faith",  it is far better than struggling in the  "uncertainty and self-doubt" that comes when you unprepared and out of relationship!  I've traveled down both roads and it is only by God's grace that he saved me from myself!