When Severe Weather Strikes Days Before Christmas

I didn't experience the tornado that ripped through Union University February 5th, 2008.

I transferred in that following fall semester and met plenty of people that were greatly affected by that storm. And as I heard stories, read the book God in the Whirlwind, watched the campus be reborn, and joined the Residence Life team, my life was forever impacted.

Some of my best friends lived through that storm. And some of the most amazing testimonies of God's faithfulness and favor, grace and mercies came out of that storm. The promise that God brings renewal out of rubble is evidenced on that campus. ​

But the threat of severe weather will always influence my emotions, my prayers, my actions. Severe weather easily stirs up anxiety and worry in me. It quickly brings specific people to mind to pray for. And it forces me to stay on top of the weather patterns and forecasts and be prepared. ​

When storms approach, I am reminded of the great destruction they can cause. But, they also force me to cling to the great faithfulness of God they have displayed.​

So when we want to be looking at Christmas lights and taking in the holiday cheer of our beautiful city, we are instead looking at the weather reports and taking in the skies. 

​​And when anxiety sweeps in swiftly looking as dark and daunting as the clouds overhead, I have to continually remind myself that the Lord is on His throne.

No matter how unstable the skies are, my God is still in complete control.

This eerie, warm weather in December ushers in tornadoes, but it also ushers in the timely reminder that Jesus is with us. Christmas declares God has come down. God willingly became clothed in skin. He willingly left heaven and came to earth. He came to be with us.

He is with us in the peace and He is with us in the storm. He is with us when all is calm and He is with us when chaos abounds.

When anxiety and fear set in, may we cling tightly to the promise of His presence. May we cling to Jesus, who is our peace and our comfort, our refuge and our safety. And may we comfort each other with the peace of Christ.

The wonderful little book, God in the Whirlwind, recounts many stories from the Union tornado. Each story displays God's gracious hand over every person on the campus and His miraculous working on that day. I highly recommend it. It will grow your faith and leave you amazed at God's mercies.
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