In the Midst of Storms

Dear Epiphany,

Storms are fun. At least that’s what I’ve always thought. Whether a wind and rain storm like we had earlier this week or a good nor’easter snowstorm, there is something curious and powerful, even beautiful, about them. Stand outside in the late night air as snow falls softly and you will come close to sheer silence. As I lingered under my porch roof Tuesday afternoon, the power of the wind roared from a single direction bending sturdy tree limbs. On Tuesday, though the wind still howled, the house was hushed as the power flickered and finally went out. You don’t realize how noisy your house is, even with only one person in it, until the refrigerator stops whirring, the lights stop buzzing, the computer hard drive stops spinning and the air conditioner ceases blowing. Then there is silence. The silence drew me out, out onto the porch to watch the majesty and fragility of God’s creation doing what it does this time of year.

Our Scripture readings this Sunday (August 9) offer two contrasting experiences of storms. In our reading from I Kings this Sunday, the prophet Elijah is drawn out of the cave by the sound of sheer silence. An earthquake, a storm and a fire come upon him, but those don’t draw his curiosity. Then comes the sound of sheer silence, the Bible says, and Elijah goes to the entrance of the cave to investigate. And there he finally has his conversation with God. The other type of storm is the famous episode of Jesus walking on water in the midst of the stormy sea to reach the disciples in the boat. “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid!” Jesus says to the startled group.

God comes to us in the midst of the storms of life, not apart from the them or after them. God with us and God always drawing us out and coming toward us saying, “Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid.”

Yours in Christ,

Rev’d Jen