Tsunami Warning!

Scripture: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:25-27

I am still awe struck and horrified every time I watch the video of the giant wave that came into Japan after the earthquake last month. The Japanese had been trained that during an earthquake to go out into the street until the quake ended to avoid any building or things that might fall onto you during the quake. In some locations the Tsunami warning sounded 3 minutes after the earthquake and in some places people only had 20 minutes to prepare before the actual wave hit the coast. The warning issued encourages them to get to higher ground. Some got in their cars and drove inland in hope to escape the water and ended up caught in traffic jams instead of actually finding refuge. Either way, as I watch, I find myself asking the question that many do, what in the world would you do?

Tsunami warnings are hardly applicable in Tennessee, although we do at times experience tornado warnings and threats of flooding and other natural disasters. We try to be as safe as possible, but I am often reminded that we are all at the mercy of God. It only takes one moment of terror to change our entire world. Americans can hardly even begin to relate to the devastation from which the Japanese people are trying to recover.

Spiritually however we all have devastating events that shape our faith. It may not be a giant event like the calamity in Japan, but we have waves of emotion that can debilitate us and leave us asking, what in the world are we going to do? In John Jesus told us that he would send us a warning signal. The Holy Spirit is our Tsunami warning system. His Spirit within us sends out warning signs that we need to get to higher ground! You know exactly what I am saying. Something inside of you starts to rise, an emotion, a feeling that you know if fully embraced will leave you devastated. But we are to find peace and higher ground during those warnings.

So the next time you feel that warning in your Spirit you need to stop and move toward higher ground. Make a conscious effort to go to God in prayer or just go to a place where you can sit silently in God’s presence. Stop that conversation. Stop that way of thinking. Stop that downward spiral into that low ground. Stop what you are doing and head for higher ground, so that you can find the peace that the Holy Spirit has promised to bring us. Stop and seek God’s presence, so that your heart will not be troubled and you will not be afraid.

Leslie Stephens
McMinnville, TN

Prayer: God of all things, help me to recognize the warnings your Hoy Spirit gives to me, so that I can be free of fear. Teach me to head for your higher ground, that place of security and peace. Amen.

Prayer Tip: Sometimes you may be where you can’t pray out loud. Prayer is sometimes just sitting in the lap of Christ. You do not have to say anything, just take refuge there.

Road Kill

Scripture: Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40

I was traveling along a 4-lane road today and passed not one, but two different turtles trying to cross the great expanse. I thought how risky it was, but realized that they were taking the risk without fearing death. They can do that because they are instinctually trying to find a better habitat. Turtles can not use reason like humans. They rely on God-given instinct to guide them.

There on the road I wondered from God’s perspective how much I looked like that turtle. I mean here I am trying to navigate this dangerous world. I am small and vulnerable. I will surely get squashed by the weight of my circumstances, just like the turtle will if he meets up with a truck. Yet the difference is that I can make a decision to not rely on God, the turtle cannot make that decision. He only knows how to rely on God.

Have you ever wondered why God did not take care of something in “time”? Why did God not show up in time to help me before happened… Mary and Martha wondered that same thing. (John 11) Their brother Lazarus had died. Jesus did not arrive in “time” to save him. Mary even told him that in verse 32. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” But God’s timing is not ours. If Lazarus had not died, then Jesus would not have been revealed to those people in Bethany. That is why Jesus lingered before he came to see about him, time for God is not the same as it is for us. There is no “too late” for God. Death had to happen.

In much the same way, we are dead. We are dead in our flesh by way of sin. But like zombies we walk around dead in our sin and acting like we have life. Really we are road kill. It is not until we realize that we must rely on God that we can kill our flesh, die to our sin, and be resurrected in Christ. We can’t be resurrected until we die to our flesh! Like Lazarus had to die to be resurrected, we too must die.

When the turtle starts to cross the road, he does not think of his death. He thinks of his life. In his instincts he risks death to live. The turtle is dead, whether or not he crosses the road. Without following his God-given instinct he will die. So you ask, what if he dies in the road? What does it matter, if he is already following God’s guidance?

Now I am not saying that life in not of value. I am saying that life in Christ makes life more valuable. We must die in order to live. There is a spiritual death and resurrection that takes place when we receive Christ. But we must choose to put our flesh to death daily in order to continue to let Christ live in us and be led by God. Then we can really live free from fear of dying. We can cross the road with Christ and it does not matter if we get splatted or not.

All this made me think of a scripture… Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:36-39

I came home and put new letters on the church sign. I took a picture. I have been resurrected already. Even though I may die, I then shall truly live! Hallelujah!
Leslie Stephens
McMinnville, TN

Prayer: Resurrecting God, you have given me life, both physical life and eternal life. Help me to live this life without fear of death, embracing your guidance. I trust you God! Amen

Prayer Tip: Use imagery during prayer to help you internalize biblical principals. Image that you are laying down literally at the feet of Jesus, totally surrendering your life into His hands.