The Horse and the Storm

 

Funny enough, I took this picture a year ago yesterday. I wanted to remember it. 

This canvas hung in the cottage on the ranch where we were living for a few months. Those months were full of sitting, thinking, wondering, praying, and being quiet. Those type of things are necessary in some circumstances. I’m sure you’ve been there.  

I would bet this canvas might have been number 1,059 sold in craft stores all over the country. It could have been created simply by a craftmaker who saw a horse gallop by and thought “let me put a horse on canvas”. Much like Robert Frost’s, “stopping by woods on a snowy evening” who really was, in fact, only stopping by woods on a snowy evening. It was a real sight. 

I stared at this horse a lot over those 3 months. He seemed to be in a hurry to me with his mane flying up behind him as he galloped to …… where exactly I don’t know. But I finally decided he was running to the storm. Which is where we were. In a storm, blinded by all the swirling wind that was blowinging debris and rain all over the place. We didn’t know which way to go or how to get out of the storm. 

When you feel like that, you can only sit in the middle of the storm and hope, wait for a rescue. This brave, strong, and confident horse was racing as fast as he could to get to the middle of the storm. Not a single doubt was in his mind. He had thrown all caution to the wind and forged a head with great determination and a sure foot. Nothing was going to stop him from getting to the middle of that storm. When he makes it, he stops dead in his tracks, surrounding you with protection as the storm thunders. 

Jesus does that.

Kristy McLellend says - “Jesus is better than we ever knew.” That’s because we only see in part now. 

But we do know He comes to us in the middle of the storms. Don’t you want that Jesus? Don’t you want the Jesus who enters the storm, sinks down into the mud, wrapping you tight to Himself - shielding you from the cold rain and piercing wind. He waits with you while the storm passes because He knows if He had gallops by, grabs your hand, and slings you up on the back of His white horse, you wouldn’t be protected from the rain or the wind. On the back of the horse, you’re an open target. Better to be surrounded and guarded in one place than an open target. 

Staying in the storm brings a closeness and a protection that you don’t get trying to make your way out it. Staying in the storm, brings you into you in His presence. 

It took awhile for the storm to pass. It was hard just sitting there, waiting. But I’ve never been so sure of God’s presence wrapping around us. 

It took awhile to be able to see through the mess. What little we could see was Jesus with His lavish, protective, good gift-giving love surrounding our life. 

“And that has made all the difference.”