Ready For the Storm

Erika and I were playing some music tonight and she pointed me to this Rich Mullins song from years ago that I had never heard before. It was actually written by Scottish singer, Dougie MacLean. We ended up singing it and it spoke true to what we are feeling and to what God is doing in our lives. Do we really trust Him? Do we believe that He is good, even when our common assurances seem to be fading? Can we give Him everything? The song is called Ready For the Storm:

The waves crash in the tide rolls out
It's an angry sea but there is no doubt
That the lighthouse will keep shining out
To warn a lonely sailor
And the lightning strikes
And the wind cuts cold
Through the sailor's bones
Through the sailor's soul
'Til there's nothing left that he can hold
Except a rolling ocean

Oh I am ready for the storm
Yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm
I'm ready for the storm

Oh give me mercy for my dreams
'Cause every confrontation seems to tell me
What it really means
To be this lonely sailor
And when the sky begins to clear
The sun it melts away my fear
And I shed a silent weary tear
For those who mean to love me

Oh I am ready for the storm
Yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm
I'm ready for the storm

The distance it is no real friend
And time will take its time
And you will find that in the end
It brings you me
This lonely sailor
And when You take me by the hand
And You love me, Lord, You love me
And I should have realized
I had no reasons to be frightened

Oh I am ready for the storm
Yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm

Am I ready? In Christ alone.

Someone put together a slide show to Rich Mullins' version of this song. The music is hauntingly beautiful.

Comments

[Bob Cleveland]

I firmly believe that "of whom much is given, much is required". And I also believe, just as strongly, that "of whom much is required, much is given".

[A S Hodel]

Thanks. I needed that. I am going through many of the same tests as Caelan, though I think my situation is much less serious. I pray for your son every day.

Yours,

Scotte

[Lisa]

Alan and Erika,

I LOVE that song. It has gotten our family through a lot. Rich seemed to know just how to put into words what we all need. The Roses are praying for you all today.
lisa

[Walt and Connie]

Susan Palomino's parents are praying for you during these difficult days. May God bless...

[Nathan Bradfield]

Alan, I can't tell you enough how (spiritually) proud of you guys we are. The way in which you are handling this part of your walk truly exemplifies God's heart. You were brutally honest yesterday and through your weakness, He is strong and built the faith of many. Thank you for that. Also, thank you for sharing the "If I Stand" song by Rich Mullins with us. I can certainly see how it ministered to you, and it blessed all of us. Church doesn't get much more real than it did yesterday. I have sensed for the last week that many in our congregation have been praying in the mindset of "if it's Your will..." And I was glad hear you say you won't pray that. And why. This situation has created an opportunity for you to live out your faith for all of us to see and learn from. And after yesterday's prayer time, I think most of the congregation had a better grasp on how to pray. And I also believe that we, as a body, have laid little Cailen down at God's feet. We must now walk in faith. You remind me of St. Francis of Assisi, famous quote, “Preach the Gospel always and if necessary use words.” After last week, you didn't need to use words, yet God gave them to you. More importantly, you opened yourself up to hear Him, and you delivered an top-notch performance. Thank you.

[Amy (Wible) Higginbotham & Fannin United Methodist Church - Brandon, MS]

Alan and Erika,
Caelan and your family are in our prayers here in Brandon, MS. Our church has kept up with yours through your blogs over the last two years and we have continued to remember you. Many people ask me regularly if I have heard anything from you. I am keeping them updated again now, and we are praying. Yes, in times like these it is hard to know exactly how to pray, but we trust the Holy Spirit to intercede and understand the deepest desires of our hearts. Thank you for sharing so deeply with all of us. You will never know how many your faith has encouraged. We love all of you and lift you up to our Father. You are not alone - He sees and hears, and He is with you.

[Igor Pashchuk]

Alan,

Yesterday you preached the best sermon I've heard you preach. I love it when Jesus is lifted up like that. My (and, incidentally, my wife's) favorite passage is Psalms 73:25-26: "Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You I desire nothing on earth. My heart and my flesh may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

You touched upon the subject of God's will when you stated that you will not pray "if it is Your will...". On the surface, it's not difficult to disagree with the statement because it is incomplete. However, I hear what you are saying and I completely agree with you.

There are two wills of God: God's will of decree and God's will of command. God's will of decree is what we commonly refer to as His sovereign will (i.e. "such and such shall come to pass"). God's will of command is what He commands us to do (i.e. "thou shall not steal"). John Piper explains it much better so I'll refer you to his article here:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2004/179_What_Is_the_Will_of_God_and_How_Do_We_Know_It/

So, in Caelan's case, both wills of God are at work. On the one hand, God's sovereign will is being executed. Sometimes, he reveals His sovereign will (as in prophecies about the second coming or something imminent like the famine prophesied in Acts 11:28, etc.). We cannot know His sovereign will unless it is revealed. Hence we trust His will knowing that "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who have been called according to His purposes" (Rom. 8:28). On the other hand, God commanded you to pray: "If you abide in me and I in you, ask whatever you will, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7) or "...ask and you will receive..." (John 16:24). In fact, God created the need so that you couldn't help praying for your dear son. The problem occurs when we act as if there is either God's sovereign will (in which case, we become fatalists) or we believe that God's will of command requires us to change what we presume to be God's will. But when we see that the two wills are inseparable we pray correctly, "Our Father... your kingdom come, your will be done... give us this day our daily bread...". We acknowledge His sovereignty, yet we obey His commands to us (and, specifically, to pray to Him in all circustances). Phillippians 2:12-13 puts the two wills together very nicely: "...work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

It is not my intent to be "anal" about this because I sincerely believe that you see the issue correctly. However, it is my desire that no one would misinterpret your message and think that somehow we can manipulate God's will. The clarification is important for the sake of your hearers -- not for you personally.

This said, Kristen and I are grieving, repenting, and praying with you because the world is fallen, pain is real, and Christ Jesus is very precious.

May God's grace and peace be with you in Christ Jesus,

Sincerely your brother,
Igor Pashchuk