The Coming Storms Pt. 2

This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Hebrews 12:27

Update. Hurricane Laura was the strongest Hurricane to hit Louisiana but was not as devastating as it could have been. As of Friday, 28 August, nearly 700,000 are estimated to be without power across Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas.

Sadly, six individuals from Louisiana lost their lives in the storm.

I believe I am more sensitive than most to the effects of a major hurricane and I will address that shortly. First a word of encouragement from a woman who responded to last week’s article, The Coming Storm:

“Last night I kept dreaming I was in one storm after another. I could see trees blowing and hard rains, but I was inside, dry, and at peace. 

I had previously been anxious and afraid of life storm, but I am receiving the message that God uses them to show His faithfulness, strengthen our trust and reliance on Him, and to prepare us for future callings.“

There have only been three category five hurricanes to make landfall in the United States since 1900. The last one was Hurricane Andrew that slammed into south Florida in late August 1992.

I was among the first to arrive from 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, several days after the eye of Hurricane Andrew passed through southern Florida. 

For the next five weeks, we provided disaster relief in Florida City, a city in Dade County. Up to 25 individuals were killed in Dade County. The storm damaged or destroyed over 150.000 homes with about 175,000 rendered homeless–the vast majority in Dade County.

A storm of that magnitude clarifies things. You come to terms with who you REALLY are and what matters to you.

I will never forget the stories of the people who rode out the storm. Of particular note were remarks from individuals during a Sunday morning church service.

These people were full of joy and extremely thankful despite the devastation all around them.  They got through it, grew through it, and exhibited a strength and resolve that you could feel.

I saw tons of relief supplies coming in from across the nation. There were reports of looting and crime, but I only observed minor instances of greed. Mostly, I saw incredible acts of service that left a lasting impression on me.

The demographics of Florida City today are as follows: 44.75% White; 51.08% Black; 0.21% Asian. The hurricane made all things equal. I saw actions across racial lines that were positively remarkable. 

I was taken aback by relief workers enduring brutal summer heat to feed, clothe, and shelter others. These workers expanded my understanding of Christian ministry. 

They taught me that it costs you something to serve others because it is not about you. 

The storms did not destroy the people of Dade County. Many that I encountered came through it with dignity and strength. The support provided by relief workers taught me that there are great people in America.

There are other storms on the horizon. Two weeks ago, former top advisor to President Trump, Steve Bannon, was indicted for fraud. The President quickly distanced himself from Mr. Bannon.

Earlier this week, one of President Trump’s most trusted advisors, Kellyanne Conway, announced that she is stepping down from her White House role to focus on her family. 

Now, if you support Joe Biden, that may be good news, but her husband, George Conway, is likewise leaving his position with the Lincoln Project to focus on their family. So what? 

The Lincoln Project is a group of conservatives with a singular mission to defeat President Trump in the next election. The Conway household is a house divided and a family with four teenage children in turmoil. 

Then there is the news out of Liberty University (LU) where my son just graduated. LU President Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned this week on the heels of moral issues inconsistent with LU policies.

The Conway and Falwell families face serious family challenges, but how does a polarized and politicized church offer healing to those in need? 

If you think this shakeup of individuals is coincidental, I respectfully ask you to think again. Storm winds are blowing in a mosaic of activity that God is orchestrating.

Another headline reads, “The Kenosha Police Officer Who Shot Jacob Blake In The Back Has Been Identified.” You know by now that Mr. Blake, a black man, was shot seven times in the back by a white police officer.

Blake was trying to enter his car with his three children inside when he was fired upon. Blake is paralyzed from the waist down. A new round of clashes between police and protestors is taking place.

Storm winds are blowing in America to get our attention as a nation. The storm winds are going to intensify.

Fear not. I saw it in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. Storms of great magnitude clarify things. We are coming to terms with who we REALLY are and what matters to us.

Fear not. There are great people in America. Racial division will not destroy this nation.

Fear not. A powerful remnant of the church is going to get out of bed with political parties and finds its voice.

Fear not! The storm winds are not to destroy us, but there will be losses. In times of trouble, rest assured there is much to gain.

We must not allow these words to become a tired cliché:

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

As our sister said at the outset: God uses storms to show His faithfulness, strengthen our trust and reliance on Him, and to prepare us for future callings.

There is a future for America and a calling on the church in America. We may be in for some tough times ahead, but we will come out with dignity and strength. Revival is coming our way! God Bless! Press On!! Kevin