Typhoons and the Drowning Man

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. 30 Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; 31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

I served in the Navy from 1989 - 1993.  The ship I was assigned to was cruising from South Korea to the Persian Gulf and encountered three typhoons off the coast of Taiwan. Living in the Far East, I now understand that typhoons in this area of the world are common, especially in the late summer and early fall.  The was made the decision to steam through in such a way that we rode the edges of all three storms, letting the "safe" edges of the storm front carry us through. I’ve never been through anything quite so rough while at sea. Most of our crew was bedridden with sea sickness and those of us who did not get sea sick worked extra watch shifts until we made it to the other side. There were moments when I wondered if we would make it to the other side.

Such is life from time to time.  We find the "safe" spots to push through the brunt of the storm, any yet...and yet...there are moments when we wonder--not when--but if we will make it to the other side.  In “Drowning Man” we are reassured that “the storms will pass” and “this love lasts forever.” The lyrics make a direct reference to Isaiah 40: “rise up with wings like eagles” and “run and not grow weary.” 

It is sometimes difficult to not grow weary when life is dumping buckets on us.  It is sometimes difficult to also rise up when the winds seem to be pushing us down--or that we're running into a strong gale wind.  It is difficult sometimes to not grow faint under the circumstances of life.  This is why we need community.

Maybe you have disengaged from community because someone let you down when you needed help the most.  I would encourage you to seek out community again so that you aren't carrying your burdens alone.

What is the source of your inner strength? What is it that helps you get through the rough moments of your day, week, month, or year? If you do not already do so, hold on to the love that last forever! Take the hand of the One who, when everything else is falling apart and failing, stands strong right beside you. 

I've head people say that life has meaning only if God is completely in control of everything.  And when I listen to them, I get this image of God as a puppet master who is manipulating every moment of life.  Or that God is one of the Fates who has written every detail of life into a book and we're just living out the script.  And when that understanding of God is challenged, life ceases to have any meaning at all.  Everything is chaos and faith is difficult to have.

I recently asked someone: "Is it more important to you for God to controlling every aspect of your life or that God be present with you, no matter what?"  It's important to consider that question.  Do you feel better knowing that "God's plan" was to plop you into three typhoons or that God is with you in the three typhoons.

I have come to understand that the great power of God is not in the manipulation of our day to day activities--I cannot believe that we are marionettes acting out a great script written for us that we have no control over.  The power of God is in being with us when we are happy and being with us when we grieve.  And not just being present with us, but rejoicing with us, and grieving with us.  Loving us through thick and thin and whispering encouragement to us all along the way.  God's power lies in love that holds us when we are weeping, like a parent holds a child.  God's power lies in loving us even when we're having a tantrum...yes, even when we're screaming at God we are loved. 

So, hold on.  Hold on tightly.  And if you are not tossed in a storm at the moment, offer hope to those who are.