Praising Him in the Storms

I bought a new album Friday. I probably shouldn't have spent the money, but I was so excited to find a Christian bookstore that I knew I wouldn't leave without something. I got a Casting Crowns album because I'd heard so many of their songs on the radio and they speak to me. I was standing in the middle of the living room listening to this today:


When my pager went off. Three tones. "Department 1 and 11, Shippen Township, reported structure fire". In three minutes I was in the back of a rescue truck screaming toward a fire. Over the chatter of the radio, the wail of sirens, and the buzz of my own adrenaline I was still hearing the words to this song. It made me think about what real faith is; what it means to say "Even so will I trust". Not when we feel sad, not when we feel slighted or overlooked, but when our very life is burning down around us.

Today the pastor at Cedar Run talked about Acts 26. Paul is brought in chains before Agrippa to answer for his behavior. He tells the king and others assembled about his conversion, about what he believes and why. He says "The king knows about these matters and to him I speak boldly, for I cannot believe that the things I speak of have escaped his notice; this was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe in the prophets? I know you believe." The King said, "You will soon persuade me to play the Christian". Paul said, "I would pray to God that not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am, except for these chains."
Paul is in chains. Again. He's about to get shipwrecked again. Paul's life wasn't exactly wonderful after Jesus appeared to him. He referred to it as being poured out as a drink offering. Dumped on the ground was just fine for him. Paul was all about 'even so will I trust'.

Are you ready to stand up in the storm and say the same? We never know who the sirens are coming for next.