Storm Shelter

When a hurricane hits Sofla, storm shelters open. And, when a tornado is barreling down the midwest, people go to the shelter. Storm shelters are not the most comfortable place, but they do meet the most important need at that time -- shelter from the storm (safety).

In Isaiah 25:4, it is said about God that "to the needy in distress you are a shelter ..." No one appreciates -- totally -- a shelter until it is needed. And, when it is needed it is the greatest gift that you could ever receive. Just ask the people from Hurricane Andrew or those from the more recent Hurricane Katrina. While those shelters didn't even resemble home, they provided the greatest need those people had. You see shelters are most appreciated in a storm.

Applying that to our walk, if we think of God as only a shelter, I think we've missed the point. God has much more for us than a shelter, but HE IS a shelter when needed. In fact, we are told to abide in him and he will abide in us. But, there are times in which even the abiding isn't enough for us to receive what we need -- a continued transformation into Christlikness. Paul tells us to "work out our salvation." You work out something you have already so he's not talking about earning our salvation. Rather, he is talking about our continued transformation. Sometimes, we need a shock to grow. For example, when working out, our muscles become "used" to the training and begin to plateau. Because of this, you will change your routine -- varying the amount of weight, the repetitions, frequency, and exercises -- all in the hopes of shocking the muscle into growth. In fact, the muscle growth is a result of being torn down and rebuilt.

Sometimes, the only way for transformation is shock -- we call it a trial. In the moment of a trial we learn something about ourselves and something about God that we didn't know before or not to such depth. And, as we abide in him, he takes us to a "shelter" we've never known -- never needed. But, in taking us to that shelter, our faith muscles are torn down. And, then, the muscles are rebuilt stronger than before -- they are shocked into growth.

Anyone need a shelter? I know I do. It's always open. But, I have to go; I can't stay where I am and use the shelter.