In some parts of the country where tornados are not a rare occurrence, homes have storm shelters. When we lived in Colorado, it was rare to find a house without a basement, a built-in security against such events.
I remember in grade school, having drills where we would huddle under our desks to practice what we’d do in a storm emergency. All of us are told that in the event of an earthquake we are to stand in the frame of a doorway and if a tornado were to strike, to get to the most inner part of the house.
Most of us know what to do in an emergency. We’re familiar with the protocol, the places we need to be, the phone call we need to make. But what if panic sets in? What if we are so rattled by our circumstances that we forget what to do?
Years ago, I was in that situation. My daughter had a seizure. There was no warning, no family history and I completely freaked out. Rationally, I knew that I should call 911 and get hall. But experientially, I was paralyzed. I couldn’t remember the number. I found myself running in circles unable to recall the reality of people who are trained to handle such situations. My older daughter had to act on behalf and make the call.
When the ambulance finally came, we were taken to the hospital and began the process of finding answers. I saw firsthand the ability and care of these professionals and came to trust their expertise. Later, when this same daughter had a second seizure, I was able to stay calm enough to know what to do, where to go and how to attain the help that she needed.
God tells us He is our storm shelter. Our fortress. Our refuge. All of the things that bring us safety and protection in a time of storm, enemy attack or personal disaster. Some versions of the bible call Him our “ever-present” help. Others say our “very present” help. I like both of those descriptions. Always there. And “very” there. The storm may be raging outside, the world may be falling apart, but in the middle of our “shelter” we are safe. God’s immensely capable, immensely strong, immensely loving arms wrapped around us.
Our chances of running to Him, of leaning into that protection are much better when we are familiar with His presence. Like the school drills, we automatically know what to do because it has become a part of our reflexes. A part of who we are.
Like that safe, inner part of the house, God is there in the storm, but also in the times of calm. We can live in that sweet safe spot when things are good as well as bad. And when we do that, when we reside there continually, we don’t have to go too far or think too far out of our normal box to know where our help comes from. We are already there. He is already there. Ever-present. Very present.
Isn’t it good to know that we are safe, regardless of what’s going on around us? No matter what is raging in the world? With so much instability on our planet, in our lives, isn’t it amazing to know that we are held safe and sound? We have a shelter. A refuge. A fortress. A place to call home. That most inner place.
Let’s live there today, whether we sense calm or storm.
I read this Psalm this morning. It sums it all up so perfectly. Soak it in…
Psalm 46 –
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
