The Haven in Storms

I am fascinated with the stunning beauty of simple, commonplace things. I actually went on a walk a few days ago to take pictures of things that normally get stepped upon. I wondered how many lovely things I trampled as I trekked with my eyes on a distant goal instead of looking down at the path I trod. I found remarkable things underfoot. And I was reminded of two things:

• how much beauty can be found in a faith that is vulnerable, honest, simple and stilled
• how easy it is to trod upon the things that really matter

The flower that amazed me the most was the clover. The simple white clover. I remember making bracelets, anklets, and garland crowns with these wild flowers when I was young. I would sit in the grass for hours crafting princess jewelry. But I never noticed the clover’s delicately curling petals or its rich coral and green highlights. How could a simple, common weed be so beautiful?

As I knelt in the meadow in front of my house, looking at all the different varieties of clovers and wondering if I could photograph them all, I thought about how beautiful a simple faith in the Lord can be. I wanted to write about what I was seeing and feeling, but I knew that some people wouldn’t like my essay. I thought about some of the times that people had quoted phrases from my heartfelt blogs about quietness and peace and called them boring. I remembered the denigration I felt when people wrote about their busy schedules and hectic lives and stated that only busy people with BETTER things to do than being still have the authority to share about finding peace and quiet. My blog wasn’t quoted as a source in any of those writings, however. Sniping from behind a stone isn't a transparant act.

But I am going to share my thoughts any way.  I am over 50 now. My life isn’t hectic like it used to be. Other people’s lives and opinions are not the rudder for my faith. I am not afraid of being simple or common or even boring. And the only real audience of my written words and my private prayers is the Creator of the Universe . . . who is the Author of quietness and stillness and peace.  And the Savior of my soul.

Perhaps I am narrow-minded, because I believe that Jesus is the only Way and Truth and Life.
John 14:6

Perhaps I am radical because I believe we should be poor in spirit,
mourn over sin,
cultivate gentleness,
hunger and thirst for righteousness,
value mercy,
love purity,
respect peacemakers,
and embrace the persecution that results from persevering in righteous living.
Matthew 5

I am definitely not legalistic because I believe we should live as if the 10 commandments are still respected and vital and relevant today. And that if we really loved others, we would be keeping all of them.
Romans 13:8-14

Some things, when they are trod upon, merely release the sweet fragrance of Truth.

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

For men will be lovers of self,
lovers of money,
boastful,
arrogant,
revilers,
disobedient to parents,
ungrateful,
unholy,
unloving,
irreconcilable,
malicious gossips,
without self-control,
brutal,
haters of good,
treacherous,
reckless,
conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;
Avoid such men as these . . .
Now you followed my teaching,
conduct,
purpose,
faith,
patience,
love,
perseverance,
persecutions,
and sufferings,
such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra;
what persecutions I endured,
and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of . . .
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof,
for correction,
for training in righteousness;
so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Tim 3

Walking with the Lord can be brutal. But there is shelter from the storm. A Haven in Him. And only in Him.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
And He brought them out of their distresses.
He caused the storm to be still,
So that the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they were quiet,
So He guided them to their desired haven.
Ps. 107:28-30

Here is Oswald Chamber’s advice to aspiring pastors in his book Approved Unto God. I believe it is good advice for all believers:

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ awakens an intense craving and an equally intense resentment. Base [your life] on personal love for the Lord, not on personal love for men. Personal love for men will make you call immorality a weakness, and holiness a mere aspiration; personal love for the Lord will make you call immorality devilish, and holiness the only thing that can stand in the light of God.”

If you crave quietness, stillness, and peace in your soul . . . cry to the Lord in your trouble.
Determine to shun evil.
Discipline yourself to do good.
Know that this will cause a storm of resentment and persecution.
But know that He is the Haven in the storm that always comes.
In Him is goodness and riches indescribable.

And please, be careful what you trample.