This week’s devotions are based on Week 2 of Stormproof – Tornadoes of Tragedy (CLICK HERE)
Where do you run?
I can’t imagine the panic that some felt in the mountains of western North Carolina as the sudden floodwaters of the mountain rivers began to rise. Homes that were twenty-plus feet above the riverbed soon found themselves surrounded by the raging waters. People that had seen the river flood and watched it from the safety of their homes, now found themselves in a predicament. Do we stay in our home or run or try to drive to higher ground?
Sometimes we have a very short period of time when a tragedy strikes to make a decision that will either save us or kill us. Stories emerge of individuals barely escaping as their house crumbled into the flood waters or clinging to a tree hoping it would hold amidst the rush of water and debris.
Decisions in the moment of disaster can be life altering.
Decisions after a tragedy can be eternally altering.
Tragedies bring sudden loss of life and/or possessions. When this happens, even for Christians, it is natural to ask of God, “Why?” The answer is often elusive or not directly revealed and so the next step is to make a story about why the event happened. Some of that story may include thoughts like, “God hates me.” “God is supposed to be good, but I can’t see any good in this.” “God was supposed to protect my loved one, but he didn’t.”
These narratives about God really boil down to a key question: “In the time of tragedy, will I run TO God or away FROM God?”
Those are really the only two choices. Does Satan use the tragedy to separate us from God or does God use the tragedy to draw us closer to him?
So which is it for you?
I have talked to people on both sides of this question. My prayer for every reader is that tragedy is an impetus to run to God and not away from him.
I may not always have the “Why?” answered. But I always want to know “Who?” will journey with me through the tragedy.
The writer of Psalm 73 definitely went through periods of tragedy, hardship and times where they couldn’t understand what God was doing. Their hearts were sad and their spirit embittered. However, even amidst the hurt and heartache of a tragedy, here is what they decided to do: Run to God.
Psalm 73:21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, 22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. 3 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Tragedies take away things on this earth. When my heart realizes my time on this earth is temporary and my home is in heaven, I have only one thing to do when tragedy strikes: Run to God.
Apply: How have you experienced tragedy in your life, or lived through it with someone else? What makes it tempting to run from God? What blessings come when I run to God in time of tragedy?
Prayer: Lord, I don’t always understand why you allow tragedy in my life. In all circumstances, lead me by your Spirit to always run to you and not away from you. AMEN.