Monday Motivation: Tossed

Friends

How’s the weather where you are? Sunny and bright or dark and gloomy? Perhaps you are being tossed about by whipping winds? Maybe not physically, but perhaps emotionally? Wherever you find yourself this morning, embrace the blessed truth that you are never alone. Your Savior watches over you now and forever.

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Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13 – NIV

Sometimes the storm strikes without warning. The sky goes black. The wind howls. The rain pours.

When you are alone in a 20 foot camper and straight line winds tear across the landscape, it’s a bit disconcerting. In fact, it’s down right scary.

As a series of storms moved through our campground Friday afternoon, our little camper felt like it was being tossed about like a paper airplane being hurled from a five story building. I couldn’t decide what to do. Do I run and hide out in the truck or stay put? Afraid that the camper door might be ripped off when I opened it, I hunkered down in the tight space between the couch and kitchen cabinet to wait out the storm. I did grab my phone and iPad just in case the camper went swirling through the air like Mary Poppins.

Sitting on that hard floor, I was afraid, but then I thought, “Why?” The Lord knows where I am, and He is with me right here in this little space, right now, in the midst of this whipping wind. And suddenly, I wasn’t afraid anymore.

Perhaps the disciples felt that difference on that first Easter weekend. On Saturday, the disciples were alone and afraid. Their whole world had been turned upside down. Everything they had counted on had been ripped away, tossed to the bitter wind. They were desperate, afraid, and oh, so alone.

But then came Sunday morning. Dawn broke to showcase a brand new world. The empty tomb announced the amazing truth that everything had changed overnight. The wind still blew. The storms still raged, but they were no longer alone. They knew a risen Lord. The resurrected Jesus walked among them, reassuring them, reminding them of His promises and His love.

Whatever happened thereafter, they knew that The risen Lord stood with them. That knowledge strengthened their resolve. It empowered them, casting out their fear.

As I sat there alone on the floor, I decided that if The Lord was ready to take me home, then I was ready to go. I also thought about the hope we have in Jesus, both in this life and the one to come. Because of His great sacrifice, we know the hope of heaven and we have His ever present help here on earth. Isn’t that a glorious thought?

Whatever storms are raging in your life today, here this Good News! We know a risen Lord, and He is more powerful than the raging winds that are tossing you about. He alone is sovereign over everything and with us in all things. Let the storm rage and the wind blow for nothing can ever separate us from His deep and abiding love.

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Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Hebrews 10:23 – NLT

PRAYER

O Lord Jesus, thank You for always being with us. You are there in the sunshine and the storms. The wind and waves still know Your name. No wind, no rain, no trial or trouble can separate us from Your amazing love. Strengthen us for the onslaughts ahead and reassure us when we feel afraid. Thank You for never leaving us alone.

In the Powerful Name of Jesus, we give thanks and pray,

Amen

Easter Blessings,

Anita

-APS 4/29/2019