I don’t know about where you live, but here in eastern Ontario, we have lots of snow, more than I’ve seen in the over eight years I’ve lived in this small town one-hundred and fifty kilometres east of Toronto. We’ve also had our fair share of storms this winter.

            Recently I read about two people who ventured out on their snowmobiles in whiteout conditions. When their machines got stuck, they were stranded and unable to return home. Searchers found one – frightened but in good condition. He told his rescuers he thought he was going to die, alone and abandoned.

            The other person realized he couldn’t make it back, dug into a snowbank, and sheltered there overnight. He was also found – safe and healthy.

          At one time or another, we all find ourselves in the midst of storms. They can be physical, emotional, or spiritual. What do you do when you find yourself caught in one?

        Rule number one is don’t panic.  Panic drives out rational thought. A clear calm mind is essential for survival. Rule number two is to prepare for a storm before it hits. Whatever tempest we face, we need to have the Word of God stored up on the inside of us. Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) says, “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You – in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].”
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        Our spiritual and emotional states are related to our thought life. In the midst of the storm, we have a choice as to what we dwell on in our thinking. The apostle Paul urges us to “use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 MSG).

          I love how The Passion Translation expresses Hebrews 6:19-20 – “We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. Our anchor of hope is fastened to the mercy seat in the heavenly realm beyond the sacred threshold, and where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone in before us. He is now and forever our royal Priest...”
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           In the midst of the storm, Jesus is interceding for us. “Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us” (Romans 8:34 AMP).

         God is our shelter in the time of storm. “Then Yahweh will create over all of Mount Zion and over every gathering a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night. And all this manifestation of dazzling glory will spread over them like a wedding canopy. It will be a tabernacle as a shade from the scorching heat of the day and a safe shelter to protect them from the storm and rain” (Isaiah 4:5-7 TPT).

         When the storms of life come, may we not be afraid, but see God’s glory and protection spread over us like a Jewish wedding chuppah – a canopy or covering. Help us never to forget that God is "...such a safe and powerful place to find refuge!... a proven help in time of trouble – more than enough and always available whenever (we) need you” (Psalm 46:1 TPT).

 
            Growing up, our gang of neighbourhood kids often played “Hide and Seek”.  While one person closed their eyes and counted to a certain number, everyone else would scatter and hide. When the counting was over, the person who was “It” would yell out, “Ready or not, here I come!”

            A similar call is ringing out over the earth today. Jesus is coming back for His bride. “On that day, with a command that thunders into the world, with a voice of a chief heavenly messenger, and with a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord Himself will descend from heaven; and all those who died in the Anointed One, our Liberating King, will rise from the dead first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16 VOICE). When that happens, time for preparation will be over.

            In Matthew 25 Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins who were given the task of being ready to meet the bridegroom. Five of them brought enough oil for their lamps and five did not. The virgins represent all those waiting for Christ’s return and the lamps, the outward profession of faith. Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and represents true faith and a living relationship with God through Jesus. The bridegroom is Jesus.

           This parable illustrates the contrast between those who develop an intimate relationship with the Saviour,  spending time daily with Him in His Word, praying, and soaking in the beauty of His Presence (the wise), and those who outwardly profess faith but lack true commitment (the foolish).

         When the bridegroom arrived, the prepared virgins went with him into the marriage feast, and the door was shut. The unprepared virgins were left outside, pleading, “’Lord! Lord! Open the door for us’” ( Matthew 25:11 NLT). “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’” (Matthew 25:12 NLT).  

         Jesus concluded the parable with a sober warning. “Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come” (Matthew 25:13 AMPC).

         As the above verse states, we don’t know the exact timing of Christ’s return. Therefore, in order to be ready, we need to live ready – in a state of spiritual preparedness. “Let us rejoice and be glad! Let us give him the glory! For the time has come for the wedding of the Lamb, and his Bride has prepared herself” (Revelation 19:7 CJB).

         In closing, I ask myself these questions. Do I love Jesus more than anyone or anything else in this world? Do I spend time with Him daily, basking in His Presence, reading His Word, and communing with Him in prayer? Or do I leave Him on the sidelines, because I'm too busy with the things of this world?
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        Can we say with the apostle John, “Amen! Come, Lord Yeshua!” (Revelation 22:20 CJB). As I examine my heart before God, I ask myself, am I ready for His coming? Are you?