Look At What the Storm Blew In

Often in times of trouble, we look at all that was demolished by the circumstance rather than what was create as a result of it. We meditate on the rebuilding process and all the time and cost involved. Even if there is nothing left of the former, there is surely a latter to consider that leaves inspiration enough to build again.

The picture above is of a bush in front of a residential property in Beaumont, Texas. Prior to Hurricane Katrina and the other smaller storms that followed, it did not exist. According to local residents, no one planted it and anticipated there would be not one stitch of green in sight growing from it, only a poignant pink flower that arrives surely now in every early spring.

After ministering and providing nourishment to the multitudes, we find Jesus in Matthew 14 departing to a mountain by Himself to pray. He made His disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. The scripture reads, “And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.” Matthew 14:23-25

During the storm, Peter experiences an extraordinary faith encounter with Christ; walking on the water, fearing the storm, and being saved by Jesus. The miraculous happened after Jesus got into the boat, the storm ceased and they came to the land of Gennesaret. The scripture reads, “And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.” Matthew 14:35-36

If you survive a storm, and get to witness many alive be made “perfectly well”, the storm has actually created more than it demolished. It increased troubled faith, and then confirmed the impossible is true. Jesus is a Saviour and Healer! Even though these people may have only experienced the storm on dry land, they were recipients of the great aftermath.

Hurricane Katrina left much visual broken aftermath, but we did not consider cross pollination when we thought of what it created, planted and grew. We are all recipients of a great cross pollination, by all those who were recreated, replanted and grown anew as a result of this mighty storm.

Every storm we experience in life is like Hurricane Katrina. What we see in the aftermath is nothing compared to what is growing in crevices of our lives we don’t quite see or notice yet. When you see a beautiful bush, don’t assume someone planted it there. It might be a cross pollination of a great storm that left a remarkable memorial. When you look at yourself and others, don’t assume you designed what you see. You are a great cross pollination, specifically and intricately made by God. You cannot be duplicated, because a storm cannot be duplicated; for you were created by God and fashioned by the storm.