Sucked In, Washed Up, Blown Over

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1

Chippie, the parakeet, never saw it coming. The problems began when Chippie's owner decided to clean Chippie's cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage. The phone rang, and she turned to pick it up. She'd barely said "hello." When "sssopp," Chippie got sucked in.

The woman gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie -- still alive but stunned! Dirt covered the poor little bird. She grabbed him, headed to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do. She reached for the hairdryer and blasted Chippie with hot air! A few days later, someone called Chippie's owner and asked how he was doing. "Well," she replied, "Chippie doesn't sing much anymore -- he just sits and stares."

Poor Chippie never knew what hit him. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage; the next he was, "sucked in, washed up, and blown over."

If you are reading this, you have survived 2020, and Chippie's story is your story. Our world was turned upside down by COVID-19, lockdowns, shortages, riots, looting, killings, and one of the worst election years in our history. You are not alone if you are feeling "sucked in, washed up, and blown over." Stress, anxiety, and depression are at an all-time high.

Storms of life can come quickly. One minute we are in peaceful, familiar territory, and the next, we are sucked into a place we never imagined we would ever be. I have been sucked into many of those dark places that are full of doubts and questions without answers in my lifetime.

My first experience was at the age of nine in October 1963. Life couldn't have been better. It was a sunny autumn Saturday in Kentucky, and my cousin had invited me to go to town with him and his mom. On the way home, we stopped at a grocery store. My uncle's car was in the parking lot, and my parents were sitting in the backseat. My mother was crying. They had received word that my two older sisters that lived in Indiana had been in a car accident. My sister Ann was in critical condition; tragically, my niece Linda was killed instantly. That was my first experience with death. It affected me profoundly because she was only three years younger than me. We had spent two weeks that summer playing, laughing, and, yes, even quarreling together.

Storms of life are inevitable. We can't always help being sucked into them, but the good news, as Christians, we don't have to be washed up nor blown over!

On Labor Day weekend, 1979, all across the country, Americans were celebrating, except for the citizens in Miami, Florida. They were preparing for Hurricane David. No one had to tell them to prepare. The locals had seen the damage hurricanes could do, so they had boarded up windows and bought extra food, water, flashlights and

batteries.

But there were a group of young, single men that had rented a houseboat for the weekend. None of them had ever seen a hurricane. They went to the store and bought enough rope to tie up a cruise liner. They tied that boat to trees, the moorings, and anything else they could. When they were finally finished, the boat looked

like it was caught in a spider's web.

An old, weather-beaten fisherman came along and stood looking at the boat. He said, "Boys, tie her to land, and you will regret it. Those trees are gonna go when she hits. Your only hope is to anchor deep. Place four anchors in different locations and pray for the best."

We have no control over the storms, but we can do things to prepare that will help us ride out the storm without being washed up or blown over.

1.  Anchor Deep

The old sailor recommended dropping four anchors. It just so happens that Christians have four: Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and Prayer.

"We have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope that is set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast."  Hebrews 6: 18a - 19a

The writer is speaking of real, tangible hope. It's not wishful thinking like a child saying, "I hope I get a new bike for Christmas." Our hope is sure and steadfast because it is anchored in the immutability of Jesus Christ and His Word. 

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever."   Hebrews 13:8

"Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven."   Psalm 119:89

Jude wrote in verse two of his epistle that we are "preserved" in Jesus Christ. Preserved means to be "kept or guarded." The story of Noah's ark is an excellent example of being "preserved" in Christ. The storm came; it was inevitable. The wind and torrential rains beat upon the ark, but inside, Noah and his family were safe from the judgment that God was pouring out on the sinful world. Amid the chaos and trouble in the world today, the safest place to be is in Jesus Christ.

Noah had no control over the storm, but he was not washed up nor blown over because he had prepared.

We can re-enforce our stability by faithfully reading, studying, and heeding the Word of God and by developing a life of prayer. We were not born with habits -- good or bad; we develop them.

We also have the anchor of the Holy Spirit. He is our teacher, helper, exhorter, encourager, and He is the administrator of the gifts and blessings of God. He empowers us to stand and to live the Christian life steadfastly.

2.  Attitude

How we emerge  from  a storm is greatly determined by our attitude  during  the storm.

The Apostle Paul said,  "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."   Philippians 4:4

Good news seems to be a thing of the past. You certainly won't hear any from the news media. But, even sadder is the negative doom and gloom we often hear from many Christians.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter from my great-nephew, James Kleyn. He is enrolled in a discipleship program in Louisville, Kentucky, preparing him for mission work. His letter was one of the most uplifting things I have read in a long time.

King Solomon said,  "As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country."   Proverbs 25:25

Louisville is not that far away, but this letter was refreshing to my heart and soul. James had nothing negative to say. Here was a young man so excited, so enthusiastic over being allowed to serve the Lord. How inspiring and uplifting to see a young person who has realized that it's not about America or what's going on in this nation; it's all about the Kingdom of God.

We must keep our eyes, our focus upon Jesus Christ. World leaders rise, and they fall, but Jesus Christ  is  coming back to rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

I have studied faith; I have taught on faith. I have come to realize that faith does not depend upon my understanding. Faith is a deliberate commitment to a person - Jesus Christ- even where I see no way possible.

A conference was held in a church where the members could not say, "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!" Those present were given helium-filled balloons and told to release them at some point in the service when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts. Balloons ascended all through the service, but one-third of the balloons were unreleased when it was over.

You may be sucked into a storm today, but remember that in the good or bad times, God is with us  "always."  In every situation, He is working  all things  for your good. He is still able to do exceeding, abundantly  above all  you ask or think. He will not allow you to be  "washed up, nor blown over!"

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  YET  I will rejoice in the Lord, I  WILL  joy in the God of my salvation."   Habakkuk 3:17-18

No matter what's happening in your life today,  let your balloon go  --  REJOICE!