Since the moment I willingly chose to give my life to Jesus and become a Christian, I have continued to experience an ever deepening holy dissatisfaction with spiritual mediocrity. That has been the primary impetus for me to earnestly desire to draw closer to God’s majesty - yearning for more of His glory.
Over the years of truly desiring to seek more of Jesus, I have experienced many storms. Tragic events, the effects of sickness and disease, and the death of loved ones have brought times of sensing terrible loneliness that cut to the very core of my being. Doubts have come, flooding my heart and mind like a raging storm that caused me to question my beliefs and faith in God. The whirlwinds of catastrophic events have sent me spinning and made me dizzy - as if out of control - so often that it was extremely difficult to find emotional and spiritual equilibrium.
My daily walk has at times felt like I was treading water and going nowhere. The call of God on my life was only an ancient echo. There has been intense pain from the feelings of rejection, betrayal, fear, insecurity, and abandonment. God has sometimes felt hidden and a billion miles away.
Even when things appeared to be going well there were times of puzzling darkness.
Throughout my life, it has often seemed as if a dark cloud hovered overhead and blocked out the warmth and light of God's beauty. The Bible felt dry and the heavens were as brass. I had become disillusioned, discouraged, depressed, and frustrated. What has brought me some solace through the years is the fact that I am not alone in my experience. The prophet Amos spoke of this very thing:
“Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?” (Amos 5:20 20 NKJV)
The Psalmist also wrote about his own experience with this when he wrote:
“How long, O Lord?” Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?” (Psalm 13:1-2 KJV)
These questions have perplexed the human heart for centuries. God can often seem hidden in times of trouble and pain.
One day in prayer about the troubles around me I heard these words in my mind – Embrace the eye of the storm! Well, that was certainly unexpected so I decided to do some investigating. What I learned gave me another glimpse into the ways of God and I share some of it today.
The Whirling Winds
When two air currents from opposite directions meet, a circular motion results called a whirlwind. A whirlwind is a weather phenomenon in which a vortex of wind - a vertically oriented rotating column of air - forms due to instabilities and turbulence created by heating and air current variations. Whirlwinds can be seen all over the world and in any season.
A major whirlwind (such as a tornado) is formed from supercell thunderstorms (the most powerful type of thunderstorm), or other powerful storms and last longer than others. When the storms start to spin they react with other high altitude winds, causing a funnel to spin. A cloud forms over the funnel, making it visible.
Minor whirlwinds are formed by winds that do not last long. When a minor whirlwind on land hits something (a building, a house, a tree, etc.) on its journey, its rotation is interrupted, as is the wind flowing into it, causing it to dissipate.
Throughout the Bible, whirlwinds indicate the power and might of God. He is most often found IN the storm: “God hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm” (Nahum 1:3); He “answered Job out of the whirlwind” (Job 38:1). Elijah “went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11).
The Eye of the Storm
The eye is a circular area with comparatively light winds and fair weather found at the center of rotation of a whirlwind. It is the calmest part. Surrounding the eye is the eye wall. It is almost a complete ring and contains the strongest and most violent winds.
Because the whirlwind is spinning there is a perceived outward force. This centrifugal force prevents the winds from entering the center eye of the whirlwind. The winds blow as close to the center of the storm as they can and forms the eye wall.
The way the eye and eye walls are formed is not fully understood. Some scientists speculate that the eye feature is a fundamental component of all rotating fluids.
Hundreds of theories exist as to the exact process by which the eye forms. However, all that is known is that the eye is necessary for storms to achieve their intensity and strong wind speeds. The eye can be covered by thick, dense, and dark clouds. The stronger the storm the stronger the eye is.
Research done by NASA has suggested that the seemingly subtle movement of updrafts within the eye of the storm actually provides the energy to keep the storm functioning. This research suggests that in addition to providing lift, the updrafts also feed high-energy air from the low-level eye into the eye wall, boosting the strength of the updrafts.
The Coriolis Effect
When storms are the most intense they begin to go through eye wall replacement cycles. In one documented case three eye walls were seen. Some of the most intense storms exhibit multiple concentric eye walls at the circulation center of the storm.
Scientists have observed that there are storms in the heavens. It has been theorized that the turbulence of a storm plays a critical role in creating the perfect conditions for the birth of planets.
Recent study suggests that, within the quiet eye of the cosmic storm, dust can collect and get trapped, seeding the beginnings of planet formation because the turbulent forces (eye walls) around the eye keep the dust and gas swirling and prevent them from forming a dense and thin enough layer for gravitational instability to occur. The crucial force that causes the turbulence of a storm is called the Coriolis Effect.
A Mystery Revealed
When the storms of life rise up and begin pulling a person under, when the whirlwinds of trial and tribulation begin to blow, when the desert wilderness is all around, we must learn to reach deep into the storm if we are to enter the peaceful place of His presence – the eye of the storm - so that we can gaze upon the beauty of Jesus as we are lifted gently up towards Heaven.
The triune God is like the Coriolis Effect in the eye of a storm. He will use the turbulence of the storm to birth fresh revelation, ministry, and anointing. God is hidden deep in the middle of the whirlwind and the storms of life. He chose the eye of the storm as His dwelling place so;
“that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:27-28 NIV)
The truth is that the eye of the storm is within every Christian because they are His dwelling place. The whirlwinds of change within the storms of life and desert experiences are to draw Christians into His intimate presence. Someone once described intimacy as “in-to-me-see” because, as a person turns more inward in times of prayer and meditation to focus on Jesus, He will reveal more of Himself to them and His thoughts will become their thoughts.
The Wilderness
Not all of the storms of life have whirlwinds. Some are as dry and still as the desert wilderness.
“Prior to Jesus beginning His ministry He went to the river Jordan to be baptized. As the Holy Spirit descended on Him the Father said; “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).
THEN, the Father led Him into the wilderness! Too often desert experiences are thought of as punishment because of disobedience or personal sin. Yet the Father sent Jesus into the desert because He was pleased with Him! There are times He will do the same with a Christian because He is also pleased with them!
Jesus went 40 days without food for His flesh but He was satisfied with “living water” to drink. He spent His time in the desert in deep communion with the Father in preparation for His ministry. In the wilderness, one finds that the true food which brings nourishment and satisfies the soul is the Word and His promises.
Periods of time spent in the desert are to bring a person to a deeper reliance and trust in Jesus because there are no distractions. A journey through the wilderness may be for 40 days or 40 years! God wants every Christian there because it is a place where deep romance - a holy honeymoon - exists between bride and Groom;
“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.” (Hosea 2:14 NIV)
The nourishment and strength for preparation always comes in the desert. The Apostle John, while He was exiled to the prison island of Patmos, received His revelation. Revelation always comes in exile. When Jesus releases a person from the wilderness, they will be filled to minister with the power of the resurrection and the might of His majesty.
Clouds of Darkness
Where God dwells, “Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (Psalm 97:2 NKJV). The prophet Ezekiel described the glory as coming from within a storm “from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire” (Ezekiel 1:4 NIV).
When we find clouds of darkness forming over us in the midst of a storm, we shouldn’t be dismayed but rather, rejoice for we are nearing “the secret place of the Most High” (Psalm 91:1 KJV).
The storms of life that twist and turn through the wilderness will lead a person to the secret place of intimacy with Him so that they can behold His beauty. God will draw near and His glory will completely overwhelm them just as the priests who “could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD” (1 Kings 8:10-11 NKJV).
Water Wonders
One day after Jesus finished a time of teaching He directed the Disciples to get into a boat and cross the lake of Gennesaret, a distance of about ten miles, and head to Capernaum and Bethsaida. He told them that He would catch up with them later.
As they were about half way across the lake, sometime late in the night between the hours of 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM, the disciples saw Jesus walking towards them on the water and “they were terrified.”…”It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matt 14:25-33 NIV). The apostle Peter was so overjoyed to hear His voice and see Jesus that he was willing to do anything to be with Him. “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said to him, “Come.”
As He gazed upon Jesus nothing else mattered. Peter was able to do the impossible - he broke the natural law of gravity and “got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” But then, logic began to take over and Peter started to think about himself and his “senses” kicked in as he “felt” the force of the wind and the tossing of the waves against his feet.
“..He was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.” (Matthew 14:31 NIV)
The fear of the unknown had overwhelmed him. The turbulent waves and stormy winds of the world had caused him to lose focus. Jesus said, “You of little faith,”… “why did you doubt?” Peter’s circumstances had caused him to forget that the gentle voice of the Master could calm any storm. Jesus took hold of Peter and they climbed together into the boat. This event so amazed the other Disciples that they worshipped Jesus saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:25-33 NIV).
Fly like an Eagle
Everyone who is born of the Holy Spirit moves mysteriously like the wind.
“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagle’s wings and brought you to Myself” (Exodus 19:4 NIV)
Eagles use the winds and turbulence of the air to soar with little effort. They have mastered the ability to gracefully ride the whirlwinds that come from every direction. God wants us to learn to move with the wind just like the Eagle.
In order to master flying on the turbulent winds of change it requires that we “wait on the LORD”, then He can “renew" our "strength” so we can “mount up with wings like eagles,”…“run and not be weary”…“walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). The Holy Spirit will give the anointing to fly like an eagle.
Breaking Through
The new life in Christ has been firmly built on the rock-solid foundation of Jesus and cannot be destroyed by whirlwinds and the storms of circumstances (Matthew 7:24-27 NIV).
A new and positive attitude will emerge when the choice is made to break through the turbulent eye wall of the whirlwind and enter into God’s place of peaceful rest by embracing the eye of the storm and seeing the desert wilderness as a place of preparation. The determination to do this must be decided in the heart.
Peace is a state of mind. “To be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6 NIV). When our “hearts and minds” are set on God - and He is in control of our life - He guards us (Philippians 4:7). It doesn’t matter how much turmoil and calamity is all around, we can have an inner calm that passes all human understanding.
If a person is truly a Born-Again Christian then God dwells (stays) in them by taking up residence. They take up residence in Him and dwell in love. They are His dwelling place (1 John 4:15-16a). Jesus said that if a person abides in Him by staying in the state of actively trusting Him and His Word with great expectancy, they can ask “what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7-8 NKJV). He promises to keep the one who is actively trusting Him “in perfect peace” (Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV).
The God of Peace
Getting through the storms of life and surviving in the desert is done by trusting God. Jesus is the “Prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Walking daily in humility and trusting-faith is the way to embrace peace. It is produced by the Holy Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith…” (Galatians 5:22 NIV)
Calling upon the name of Jesus is the answer. He was given a name that has more authority and power than any other name, whether in Heaven, on Earth, or under the earth (Ephesians 1:20-23). With just one word He can calm the strongest of storms and bring rain to the desert (Mark 4:39).
In the book of Revelation four Angels are seen standing at the four corners of the Earth holding back the four winds of the Earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land, or on the sea, or on any tree so that the elect can gather together (Revelation 7:1).
The more intimate we become with Jesus, the “God of Peace,” the more the peace of His presence will fill our lives no matter how dry the place we find ourselves in, or how intense the whirlwinds of a storm are around us. The proof of His presence is peace permeating all problems (Romans 15:33).
As you learn to embrace the eye of the storm, God’s peace will fill your heart and you will enjoy peace with Him, peace with one another, peace with the world, and peace within.
