Have you ever gone through a time when it felt like everything in your life was being shaken? Even though you frantically searched for something solid to cling to and hold onto for dear life, everything in your world seemed to be experiencing an earthquake?
Recently, I went through such a time. Things were going along pretty well---it seemed like everything was smooth sailing as all of the seas around me seemed calm and peaceful with no forecast of bad weather in sight. That's why it really surprised me when the Holy Spirit placed a song on my heart and in my head that was filled with words of comfort and promises of hope. Yet, for days leading up to the storm, it was like there was a live feed of Jenn Johnson's "Come to Me" playing in my brain.
It's not that I didn't like it---I mean, it's a great song. I just didn't understand it.
And then, all too quickly, I did.
It came upon me all of a sudden---like an unexpected tornado that popped up without warning. Suddenly, I was in the middle of a storm. The winds of fear, doubt, anger, terror, confusion and panic were swirling in my mind and in my heart. The news that had arrived was so dramatic and so frightening that even physically I was shaking.
I hadn't seen it coming. I didn't know what to do. I had no idea how to respond.
Yet, when all around me was shaking, the soundtrack that the Holy Spirit had placed in my heart continued to play speaking words of peace, comfort, and encouragement into my mind and literally helping me to ride through the storm.
I am the Lord your God, I go before you now I stand beside you, I’m all around you Though you feel I’m far away, I’m closer than your breath I am with you, more than you know
I am the Lord your peace, no evil will conquer you Steady now your heart and mind, come into My rest Oh, let your faith arise, lift up your weary head I am with you wherever you go
Come to Me, I’m all you need. Come to Me, I’m everything Come to Me, I’m all you need. Come to Me, I’m your everything
I am your anchor, in the wind and the waves I am your steadfast, so don’t be afraid Though your heart and flesh may fail you, I’m your faithful strength I am with you wherever you go
Come to Me, I’m all you need. Come to Me, I’m your everything Come to Me, I’m all you need. Come to Me, I’m your everything
Don’t look to the right or to the left but keep your eyes on Me You will not be shaken, you will not be moved ooh I am the hand to hold, I am the truth, I am the way Just come to Me, come to Me, cause I’m all that you need
In that moment, through the storm, and all the way until peace returned on the other side, the words to this song served to remind me that I was not alone. My Heavenly Father was right there through the storm, and that all I needed was to come to Him and He would guide me safely through.
After all, the storm wasn't a surprise to Him.
No, He saw it coming all along. He knew that even when my skies seemed clear, there were dark clouds on the horizon and He placed this song in my head days before to prepare me. But the beautiful thing about this knowledge isn't just that He knew the storm was coming and prepared me for it, but that He also knew that in time, the storm would pass. Until then, He was navigating the boat, protecting and providing and leading safely to shore. All I had to do was keep my eyes on Him---come to Him and trust that He was all I needed.
Perhaps today, you find yourself in a similar situation. Maybe all around you is shaking and you feel like this storm might just be a little too much for you to tangle with on your own. If so, then I encourage you today to find hope in the words of this song. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak words of strength, healing, and comfort into your life. As you Come to Jesus, truly realize that HE IS ALL YOU NEED.
He's got this---even more importantly, HE'S GOT YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HANDS. Even as the wind and waves are crashing against the boat of your life, He is there, holding, protecting, providing, navigating, and preparing a way to bring you through the storm and give you a survivor's testimony of all that He has done.
Let's pray:
"Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You in Jesus' name. Lord, You understand what is happening in each woman's life today. You know what is shaking, what caused the storm, and how absolutely frightening it can be in a storm when we don't know the outcome. Yet we thank You that You do. Today we come to You asking You to quiet our hearts, give us the strength and courage to trust You, to follow Your ways, and to allow You to guide us straight through the eye of the hurricane. Lord, I thank You that no matter what, we are never alone because You are here. Please calm our hearts to day even as You're working out the details of each of our individual storms. In Jesus' name. Amen."
