After The Storm



We're coming up on two weeks since Hurricane Ivan passed by, and it seems we are in a holding pattern. Due to the widespread devastation, there are more roofs damaged than roofers to repair them. And too, all the piles of limbs and leaves still line the streets. It will be weeks before all that is cleared.



It was easy to spot that damage after the storm. You could see which shingles were missing - which limbs and leaves were at your feet. But that wasn't all the damage.



After every storm, it takes a while for some of the hurts to reveal themselves.



This morning as I rolled to a stop at church, I looked over at our oak tree. Everything you could every want in a tree - it is. Beautifully shaped, huge trunk, large low branches just perfect for children's adventures. More than once a member has driven up on Wednesday night to find their pastor up a tree - rescuing a little one who went up a little too far.



At first glance after the storm, it looked fine - a few missing leaves. But today, some of the broken branches have revealed themselves with brown leaves among the green. Hidden before, though hurt, now the full extent of the damage is in plain view.



Maybe you've gone through a storm yourself recently. It wasn't your first one, and you've learned over the years what you need to do to get well. But this time, healing didn't come.



Or perhaps an event from your past, that you thought had long been dealt with - now haunts your thoughts again.



It's time then for a visit from the Master Gardener as revealed to us in John's gospel, chapter 15.



John 15:4-5 (Msg)

"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

[5] "I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing.



If you are dry right now, maybe it's because your relationship with Christ has been damaged by the storms. Or perhaps an old wound, never fully healed, has been uncovered by the winds of life.



Come to Jesus.



Give your hurts to Him.



The life you want - the life full of all the things that matter - only comes through Him. When no one else can spot your hurts - He sees them and seeks to heal - if you'll come to Him.



Grace!



David



This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.