“Be Alert In the Storm”

The rain started in the area on Sunday.  Heavy rains continued on Monday.  I don’t remember any time on Monday that the rains were not falling.  Rains continued on into Monday night and Tuesday.  In the Raleigh area on Tuesday there were those that had to be rescued by Water Rescue Teams.

On my way into Raleigh on Monday morning I saw four accidents.  Two cars which had hydroplaned and ended up in the ditch or in one case the woods.  The two other wrecks were with multiple vehicles.  It appeared that one had put on breaks and ALL the others ran into each other.  On my way home from the church late Monday afternoon I saw four more accidents all within a two mile stretch on I-440.  One that had hydroplaned into the concrete barrier and the other three were rear enders.  One of these wrecks involved six vehicles.

I know that with rain and wet roads the accident volume increases.  I was a law enforcement officer in the USAF and those stats hold true.  But, many of these accidents could be avoided by slower speeds, increased following distance, and being alert to your surroundings.  One guy on I-440 did not like the speed I was traveling on Monday afternoon so he decided, in the pouring rain, to get within a couple of feet of my bumper.  I had to bite my tongue and grip the steering wheel a little harder not to lash out at him in some way.  I thought, “Stay the course Marty, drive cautiously and you’ll arrive safely home.”

Ok, here goes my comparison again, my analogy using my experiences on Monday.  

I thought, “Isn’t that life?”  Doesn’t God call us to be aware of our surroundings and stay the course?  Doesn’t God call us to watch out for the enemy, the prince of this world, the deceiver?  Aren’t we suppose to guard ourselves so that we remain safe, on track, to arrive safely home (our eternal home)?

What did Jesus say as He was teaching on this?  In Mark 13, as Jesus is teaching on the end times and His return He states: “But be on your guard” verse 9; “take heed, keep on the alert” verse 33; “Therefore, be on the alert” verse 35; “What I say to you I say to all, be on alert.” verse 37.  Then in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus returns to the disciples after praying and says, “Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Mark 14:37a-38.

God has given us the instructions for weathering the storms.  The rains/storms of life will come.  And there will be a temptation for us to take things into our own hands, speed through them only to wreck.  Or not be aware of those around us, thus alienating them.  It is really not if the storms come, but when.  We will all face them.  The question is, how will you deal with them?

I would encourage you to be watchful, be alert, be in prayer, that you will keep your focus during the storms and the heavy rains that will come your way.  By His plan we arrive safely home.  Not without some scars and even scares along the way, but safely home with Him.  Oh, what a God we serve!!!

Blessings my friends,

Pastor Marty - Pastor of HOPE EPC Raleigh

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