When the Storms are Raging, Look Heavenward!

Yes, it's 2:32 a.m. And yes, I'm up, blogging.

About an hour ago, I awoke from a deep sleep with the claps of thunder. Our A/C hasn't been working and so we've been sleeping with the windows open. The thunder that jarred me awake sounded like God Himself was clapping right over our heads. Within a matter of seconds, my almost-three-year-old son came running into the room, shaking and crying. The minute I scooped him up, he settled right down and fell asleep, safe and sound, secure in my arms.

Image used courtesy of Inmagine

This Texas weather has been crazy lately. I've lived in Texas nearly all my life, and I've never experienced such vivid storms in such a rapid succession. In the last few weeks, there've been lightning storms, tornadoes, flash flooding, and wind that blows huge trees over roots and all. Some people say it's global warming. Some people say it's El Nino. I say it's labor pains.

"For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains." - Matthew 24:5-8 (also found in Mark 13)

"You yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'there is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. " - 1 Thess. 5: 2-3

"As lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.... At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." -Matthew 24: 27, 30

My friends, Jesus is coming back. Sooner than we realize. Maybe not today, and maybe not this week, but He is coming!

Once labor starts, it doesn't stop. It's not designed to slow down or stall. Ever notice that there are a lot more natural disasters than there used to be? The hurricane season gets worse every year, and each year famines, tsunamis, civil wars, storms, and earthquakes get increasingly more powerful and more numerous, worldwide. It's no coincidence. I believe He's getting the attention of people all over the world, so that they will search for security and peace in their most desperate moments and find that Jesus Christ is the only source of peace and security in such a turbulant and unpredictable world. God's shaking up the earth, preparing people for the coming of the Son.

And oh, how desperately I want my unbelieving friends and family to know Him on that day! Don't you? I want them to run to HIM as the only secure place during the storms of life... just like my son ran to me a little over an hour ago. Children have the right response to storms-- to be emotionally jarred and to seek out security. Those who are secure can live confidently, even in the midst of storms, but those who ado not have security will only become increasingly more fearful until one of two things happens: (1) the storms stop, or (2) death comes. I ache for those that I love that have not yet trusted in Christ. I have been pleading with the Lord for them with a new urgency tonight because of this clapping thunder and these lightning strikes.

The storm is palpable, and the labor pains are getting stronger and growing closer together all around the world, and I'm looking to the sky. And even while I fervently pray for the souls of those I love, my heart is crying out "Maranatha," which means "Come, Lord Jesus!"