Hearing God in the Midst of Loss

It’s been almost four weeks after the containment of the Waldo Canyon fire and many of us who live here have had some time to process the impact of the fire.  Along with our neighbors I attended FEMA’s meeting regarding the potential for flooding of homes in the future as a result of the fire.

While there we heard several heartfelt stories of those who lost everything, some of whom were not able to rescue their family’s memories and heirlooms before the evacuation. The reactions and emotions among the residents are across the boards from devastation and numbness to gratefulness and inspiration. 

Some of us around here attended the Waldo Canyon Journey, a support meeting for those impacted by the fire at Cook Communications. I didn’t want to go, but went to support my wife, but glad I went. While in that intentional contemplative environment I looked through a big glass window at the burn scar and began to slow down enough to think about the last few weeks.  
Prior to attending, that morning I was reading Spurgeon’s devotional centered on the theme of ‘waiting and being still.’ While escaping from Pharaoh’s men, Moses and the children of Israel’s backs were against the wall with no way of escape with the Red Sea in their way.

Spurgeon: “God told them, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. What, if for a while you are called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Self sufficiency cries, ‘do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness.
We must be doing something at once—we must do it so we think—instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything.”

Later that day and that night I was reminded of the time Elijah was very discouraged and the Lord said to him, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

Then the Lord spoke to Elijah. 
That early evening as I looked at that scar on the mountain I reflected upon those two themes earlier in the day, ‘waiting and being still’, and I began to write as I thought of those who lost so much. God, why won’t you just help these people, straighten their mess out, fix their issues, you know the stuff that people are concerned about.

Then, it was more personal. God, what are you trying to teach me here? What issues in my heart are you trying to reveal through this? What am I missing here? What is it you want me to see? What are you asking me to let go of God?

In the quiet, in the stillness, how hard is that? Wait and see the deliverance of the Lord? What kind of deliverance and when for these people? Oh, what dismay and discouragement one can feel. If you were to lose your most cherished possessions or people you love where would you go? What would you do?

Can you hear the Lord say, be still, my child, grab my hand. When you are afraid remember I love you. I will always love you, always. I will love you forever.

I understand when others won’t or don’t care. When words can’t adequately express how you feel, I know your words and I know all your thoughts. I know your deepest pain and disappointment. When you can’t seem to pray I will pray for you. When others desert you I never will.

I know your heart has been broken too many times, that’s it’s been hard to endure. You can talk to me you see, I already know what you’re thinking and feeling. Its okay, I’m always here for you. I’m here right now.

You see that burn scar? It’s ugly now and it will be there a long time as a reminder of what happened once in time. One day you’ll see growth, green sprouts, you’ll see life coming out of the ashes. It’s hard to believe now, but one day you’ll see life again, yet in a different way.

You see I have scars too. Scars to remind you of what happened to me once to show my deep love for you! Then, when you see my scars with your own eyes they will be absolutely beautiful to you! My scars are for you. They will always remain for all to see, even YOU, as a reminder of my love for you.

Please share you comments below.

With Hope,

Mark Skalberg
mark@markskalberg.com