Are You Aware of God’s Presence in Daily Life?
In the UK we very rarely get storms that are noteworthy. At ‘best’ a few wheelie bins get knocked over, or a tree that was already dead might topple. A few weeks ago the UK was hit by 3 storms in a row. Now, don’t laugh, but these storms were named Dudley, Eunice and Fredrick. I don’t know who comes up with the names but I feel sorry for their children!!
After Storm Dudley during the week, Friday the 18th February brought Storm Eunice. As a team, myself, Matt, Liz and Phil (along with Zoe our 18 month old daughter) were about to set off to some in-person training that has been in the pipeline for a long time. It required a fairly long drive, in UK terms, and we were going to be delivering the first in-person Inspire training in the UK for over 2 years.
When it came to setting off most of the UK was covered in a yellow weather warning meaning low level impact with minimum disruption to travel. People were able to go about their normal routine. The midlands, where we live, all the way down to the south coast was covered in an amber warning which means an increased likelihood of impact from severe weather. Potential travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and potential risk to life and property. People were advised to consider changing their plans in order to stay safe. Bristol, where we were heading, the south coast and London was covered in a red weather warning meaning dangerous weather was expected, people were advised to avoid traveling and if not already done so, take action to keep themselves and others safe. It was very likely that there would be risk to life, substantial travel delays, energy supply disruption and widespread damage to property and infrastructure.
After a bit of nervous prayer and discussion we decided to set off – into the storm. We weren’t naive or foolhardy, we felt a huge peace as we left. We took particular encouragement from the meaning of Eunice: Good Victory. Although it was raining a bit it wasn’t too bad and as we got on the motorway the weather actually improved. Yes, it was a bit windy and we had to concentrate as we drove but it wasn’t quite the storm we were expecting. I had images of the opening scenes of the Wizard of Oz, not blue sky and sunshine!
As we drove it felt like a bubble of God’s peace and protection surrounded us. As soon as we arrived in Bristol, no sooner had the door closed behind us but the heavens opened and torrential rain followed by huge hailstones poured down until the garden and road outside were covered in white. It was as though we were there safely so God could let go of the storm he was holding back.
I know not everyone was protected from Storm Eunice and in life we all face storms. Not just physical storms but emotional battering from the winds of abusive people and spiritual storms twisting around us and leaving us in a spin. Through it all God promises to be with us in the storm. That doesn’t mean all is rosie. We may have to grip the wheel tightly as we navigate the storm but we aren’t doing it alone. It might help to rephrase the title question to “I can be aware of God’s presence in daily life”. Through good days and bad God’s presence is there, if only we look.
GB Inspire Missioners, Matt, Rachel, Phil and Liz, arrived safely in Bristol and had an amazing weekend seeing God’s presence in many ways. Read more about the Inspire GB Core Team
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
Praise You In This Storm
And I’ll praise you in this storm
© Lyrics: Casting Crowns, 2005. Sung by: Natalie Grant, 2020
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
