‘Wow, what an abrupt change,” said one of our guests this morning as we shared the most recent hurricane Irma report. Key Largo appears on the eastern edge of the cone, tide surge predicted only 1-3 feet, and tornado warnings cancelled for Dade County.
This is almost too good to be true news. Seems a little anti-climactic after all the trauma/drama of category 5 hurricane preparation, evacuation and edge of the seat anticipation of who knows what outcome. But yet, amazing answers to our prayers.
“Recognize and accept the blessing. It’s what you prayed for. Respond with gladness and gratefulness,” the still small voice encouraged. Of course!! What father doesn’t appreciate a child who receives a gift with thankfulness and joy? Do I say thank you with a sense of entitlement and go on with life as if this was no big deal? Or do I choose to live my life with greater devotion to my faithful heavenly Father?
As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, their leprosy disappeared. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God, I’m healed!” He fell face down on the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well.” (NLT: Luke 17: 12 – 19)
I’m deeply impressed His deliverance is due to His unconditional and deeply personal love for us. “What about those who have experienced and will experience devastation. Doesn’t He love them?” I hear the world asking.
I can only share my experience with suffering. As I followed the world’s advice, I sunk deeper into despair and dysfunction. I turned to God for solutions and the mess got untangled and my life gained new meaning, new peace. No matter what I suffer, I choose to follow God’s way. With thankfulness, I’m still praying with hope for all those in the storms path.