Subsiding Storms and Radical Restoration

As the clouds rolled in, we watched the rain fall for days, and there was nothing we could do to stop it. The storms raged on and on. Glued to news reports, many pondered when this watery onslaught might ever cease. What damage would be done before it was over?

Helpless to control the path or duration of the storms, people did only what they could do and hoped for the best concerning the rest. We rerouted our well-worn paths and moved to higher ground. Sandbagging the perimeters of all that was precious to us helped to keep danger at bay, but did nothing to stop the water tables from continuing to rise.

At some point, the waters either receded or there was a breaking. Little cracks and slight imperfections may have eroded the integrity of our protective structures, increasing the potential for a catastrophic breech. In other areas, structures stood firm and held back the waves that threatened sheer destruction. As the sun reemerged, there were losses and casualties–that is certain–but there was also a spirit of unity, hope, and support that can only be borne out of chaos. Today, some roads remain closed, some homes have been swept away, and families are still displaced. But for the most part, the mounting devastation period is over and it is time for healing and rebuilding.

This was one of the top news stories of the final weeks of 2015–when floodwaters swept across the area and left devastating damages. For some of us, this chain of events also casts an all too-familiar reflection of the past season of our lives.

The rising pressure that mounted through various situations in our lives seemed to build, one layer upon another, until we were on the verge of bursting at the seams. Depending upon the integrity of the protective walls we built, we either gave way or stood firm. Some walls were built upon fears; some of denial; others were made of a false sense of security derived out of financial stability, familiarity, and comfort zones. These are the kinds of walls that gave way under mounting pressure. Casualties were incurred and homes destroyed.

But the walls built upon the firm foundation of God were the only fortifications that could withstand the strain. No, we couldn’t control the storms, but within the safety of these walls, floodgates could be left wide open without fear. Friends and neighbors would gather together and lay sandbags of prayer around the borders of our lives, as detours rerouted our paths onto unfamiliar roads and our faith moved us onto higher ground in Him. Then, when pressure levels seemed more than we could withstand, the Son came out. Now, the One who commands the seas is ready to step in and part the Red Sea.

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. – Psalms 69:1-3 (NIV)

As we enter into 2016, I feel like many of us who have been running from the army of our enemy have just crossed the Red Sea and we’re approaching the opposite shoreline…breathless and weary from the journey. Now, the walls of water that were held back for us, in the very river that our enemy planned to use as a trap, will begin to close overhead and destroy him. Here, under the protection of God almighty, is where we will find rest and begin to recover and be restored.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. – Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)

In fact, I truly believe the word God is giving me for 2016 is “restoration.” Whatever storms we have been facing, we have not faced any of them alone. Nothing has escaped the attention of our loving, omniscient Father. He has seen us in the midst of the battle and heard our cries in the darkness. In the moments when we wanted to give up, He has strengthened us. Even when we didn’t walk things out perfectly, He has seen the posture of our hearts and He is ready to restore things in the lives of his faithful children.

Deuteronomy 3 promises, if we have been obedient to God–keeping His commandments and holding nothing back–then all that has been stolen is going to be restored seven times over. That doesn’t mean everything is going to be easy or that there won’t be more battles to fight. It simply means that we will be returned to a place of health, soundness, and vigor in order to live productive, victorious lives for Jesus.

Don’t be confused…”Restoration” ain’t no day at the spa. Neither is this about us “getting stuff.” This is about recognizing that the time is short, the fields are white for the harvest, and the workers are few. So the few of us who are ready are going to need seven-times more strength, wisdom, and other resources than we ever did before to get the job done. This is a time of willingness and readiness…getting out of our boxes, abandoning our comfort zones, and going above and beyond in order to see Kingdom goals being achieved…setting the stage for the return of our beloved Bridegroom!

I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely ready to shake the dust of 2015 off my feet–or “mud,” as the case may be–and cross over into this new year and all that I feel God is promising to do in it. Whaddya say…are you in?!  🙂