.....until the storm comes....until God gets our attention.
I often think that my time here on earth will be short. God's not supplying the things I think I need so maybe He plans for me to die young! But then I get a little scared and ask, "Wait God, not yet...let me do what you created me to do to bring you glory before you take me." Yet, I also think that it may be longer than I think as I get comfortable in pushing things off with excuse after excuse. I say it won't really matter. I can't make a difference. True. I can't. But God CAN. I just have to be willing to give Him a little something because then He can make a big something out of it.
I remember when my cousin, Rebecca and I Christmas caroled on horseback around my "neighborhood" a few years ago. I thought it was such a silly idea and surely people would think I was a bit..well over-the-top weird. Yet, God urged me to do it...so I gave Him a little something. I went through with it. (Thanks to a supporting cousin) I think we surprised most, but one lady just seemed so appreciative of the gesture and thanked us many times....she still talks about it and how special it was to her! I'm not sure how God worked that night, but I know He did something big out of the something small we gave.
My youngest brother, Ted, really made me think about this topic while we were trail riding and family camping at Shawnee National Forest in southern IL. My Dad, Mom, and cousin Rachel came with us as well to round out the group. It was predicted to be a rainy week but we were hoping for the best. We were able to enjoy 2 days of good riding, but the other 2 days were rainy especially one in particular and that's the day I learned something about the heart of many of us today.
After being caught under an overhanging rock for an hour the day before, we were sure the worst of the storms were over for us. The day started off partly sunny as many other riders in the horse campground were saddling up for a ride as well. We had checked radar and all seemed well for at least a few hours. So off we (Me, Rachel and Ted) rode. We were going to try to find a trail that the campground host recommended. As we journeyed on our way we were maybe 45 minutes into our ride and it started getting really cloudy and rainy looking. Well as much as you could tell in the woods...We were making a climb up a long, curvy hill when we heard a loud clap of thunder in the near distance. As the oldest of the group, this meant I was the one in charge and responsible for taking care of each rider and horse and I made the quick decision to get off the up hill route and go back down to more cover. I did not know the area, but we were in the sameish area of the overhanging rock we took refuge in the day before so we worked our way down and to the rock. As we rode the rain and thunder got louder and heavier and I knew the rock would be the safest place for us for now. I think the prayers for me started some time during the trek and I felt fairly safe when we got to the overhanging rock. The hard part was we had no cell service so no way of telling Mom and Dad we were taking shelter underneath an overhanging rock. I knew we could try to ride back but the lightning was pretty fierce and I thought it was best to seek cover. Once under the shelter of our rock, we ended up having some fun waiting out the storm. The rock shelter was situated 3 to 4 feet above a very rocky, but beautiful creek. We had to ride in the creek to get to it. The creek was surrounded by walls of rock on either side. (It would have been a really cool ride to do sometime). With the rain pouring down on us the creek began to rush and the rock walls were now making small waterfalls which seemed very lovely and peaceful in their own way. Even after making up our own rendition of Gilligan's Island 3 hour ride (cuz that's what we were trying for just a 3 hour ride or was it 2 hours?) before the afternoon storms, we started to get a bit bored and a bit nervous. The thunder was really loud echoing off the rock walls causing even the horses to jump at times. The lightning flashes lit up all around us causing us to feel insecure to go anywhere but where we were. Finally after a horrifically loud clap of thunder that scared all of us (even the horses), Rachel suggested we pray out loud together. I hurriedly agreed after feeling a bit silly that I hadn't suggested it before as we started to pray that the storm would subside so we could go back to camp safely. We even sang some hymns to calm us and give us something else to think about. Continuing to pray silent prayers I'm sure our happy little rain dance became more serious as the storm kept it's fierceness. After the startling thunder crack, we realized we may not be so safe here and fear crept in. As I was trying to keep the positive vibes going my little brother was thinking deep thoughts of his own. He wondered aloud and said, "This can't be when I die....I'm too young to die and haven't been able to do anything for Jesus. Shocked to hear something so deep come out of someone so young, I was unable to reply to his question in that moment.
Isn't it interesting how trials and tests can bring out our deepest thoughts? The thoughts that really matter? Not the everyday earthly physical concerns, but the spiritual ones...yes we forget the spiritual ones don't we. I sure can. But God wanted us to learn what was important underneath that rock which we later named Refuge Rock. He wanted us to learn to trust Him and to take courage even when fear was all around us! God also helped remind us what was important....following Him even through the storms life throws at us, trusting Him even when we are fearful and don't forget to pray! God says, "Let me in on the storms and troubles and fears in your life! I love you and I want to help you if you'll come to me!"
You see my little brother had a good thought but He was wrong on one part. God used him. Yes He was young but God used him to help us remember why we're here. We are here to serve Him not be served by Him. We don't find refuge in a rock, we find refuge in HIM!!!
The storm eased it's intensity and I silently prayed, "Is this it, God? Is this when we should head back?' The horses seemed just fine with their cover, but I knew Dad and Mom (especially Mom) would be worried so I told Rachel and Ted it was time to head back. I explained that this may be our only chance or break in the storm so we must go now. As I lead my horse into the now rushing creek with the lightning still above me, I encouraged the others to follow. I knew it wasn't exactly the safest spot to be in the storm...in water...while it was still lightning but God just assured me that everything was going to be okay.....but I had to be the brave one and step out and trust Him! You see sometimes God is looking for us to trust Him with that first scary step in our lives. And scary it was as Ted's pony was pretty stubborn as she didn't want to slide into the rushing creek leaving her dry shelter....Ted was frustrated and scared since his pony wouldn't mind him and all the while I'm standing in the creek encouraging him to take his time and he'll be ok. I wouldn't have ever left him behind but I think when we are in scary situations we panic thinking God is going to leave us in them and go on with His day. But God doesn't do that. Neither did I. Seeing that Ted needed assistance, I lead my horse, Kitty, back over to him and Chica and helped guide his pony into the water. Giving Ted back his pony we all got on and rode back through the creek and soon followed the trail along it that would eventually get us back to camp. The lightning got less and less and the rain had eased up as well. I'm sure I probably said something along these lines, "See this isn't so bad!" Of course, I'm not sure who I was encouraging...me or them! However, I knew something special had happened under Refuge Rock and I couldn't help but feel very loved by a God who deserves so much love from me and so often I forget to tell Him a simple thank you and I love you. Thanks, God, for being with us at Refuge Rock, and for the reminder of what's important!"
Do you think you are still too young or too old to be used by God? Do you think it's too late to even start? It's Never too late to start. You can give your life to God right now. Today! And if you've lost your passion for living for God, ask Him to renew it! He will. Sometimes you just have to be on the look out for it. I didn't know God would remind me of so many important spiritual thoughts the day we got stuck under Refuge Rock, but I'm so glad He did.
Sometimes it's during the storm, where we feel alive the most because that's when we are reminded what matters most. Does God matter most in your life today?
Refuge Rock- a fitting name as we took refuge underneath this rock twice! It reminded us of who we should be taking refuge in...Our solid rock....our refuge...our God.
