Monday, October 10, 2005

I got to spend this past summer with an amazing group of Native American young people, who traveled to fourteen Indian reservations to tell about the hope that they've found in Jesus Christ. One village we were in was typical of so many - so much violence that we were actually advised not to sleep overnight there with the team - a lot of gang activity and a ton of despair. In most places, we're there for multiple nights, but in this particular village we could only do a single night outreach event. Usually, we're outside on a basketball court where the basketball events, the contemporary Christian music and the powerful Hope Stories of the team members convene and hold the attention of a very large crowd. But this night we had to be in a gym, and when team members began to talk about the Savior who had changed their lives, we had an unusual - and very distracting - exodus from the building led by several big gang members.

As they gathered outside, a strong wind suddenly roared in, blowing some of their caps into a nearby field. They stayed outside. Then a heavy rain suddenly opened up. A few drenched young people pushed back into the gym, but most of them still chose to stay outside. That's when the little hailstones started. Still, they didn't come in. Then the serious hail began. Big hail - the kind that just pelts your skin! That was it - everyone pushed inside the gym - just in time for an opportunity to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which a number of them chose to do.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Why God Sends the Storm."

Just in case someone might have missed who was behind the stormy events that night, God left His signature - a giant rainbow that actually arced from behind the gym and over our bus. God had done what He has done so many times. He sent a storm to drive people to Him. It may be what He's doing in your life right now.

Our word for today from the Word of God provides a classic example of what part a storm in your life may play in your finding God's love. Jonah, one of God's prophets, didn't like what God asked him to do, so according to Jonah 1:3 , "Jonah ran away from the Lord." He boarded a ship going the opposite direction of his divine orders. And the Bible says, "The Lord sent a great wind on the sea and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up." Ultimately, Jonah confesses that God has sent this storm and it was there because of him, and he told them to throw him overboard to save their lives. Later, inside the great fish the Bible says God sent to rescue Jonah, he says, "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered You, Lord, and my prayer rose to You ... salvation comes from the Lord."

Could it be that the storm that's hit you lately - the storm that even threatens to break up your ship - is God's tool to drive you into His arms? Not because He's mad at you, but because He loves you - enough to send His Son, Jesus, to take all the punishment for all your sin. But you've been running from the man who died for you. But God loves you too much to lose you. He doesn't want you to keep running from His love until time suddenly runs out - forever. So He's sent this storm - something you can't control and you can't fix, so you'd finally realize how very much you need Him. So you'd finally grab the hand of Jesus that's been reaching for you so long.

Don't miss this opportunity to have every sin of your life forgiven, to have the hole in your heart finally filled, to trade hell for heaven. This is the only opportunity you can be sure of. In the midst of your storm, won't you grab Jesus' hand? Not just to save you from the storm, but to save your soul. It happens when you tell Him, "Jesus, I've run my life long enough. I'm ready to drop the junk in my hand and grab you like you're my only hope. You died for me. You came back from your grave. I want to belong to you."

If that's what you want, then I'd like to send you a little booklet I wrote about getting started with Jesus. It's called Yours For Life, and I'll send it to you without any strings or any obligation. It's just got some clear steps to knowing you really belong to Jesus Christ. You can get it by going to our website at yoursforlife.net or calling toll free at 1-877-741-1200.

The greatest storm of all has been going on for a long time - the storm in your heart. When you finally let Jesus into that stormy heart, He brings something wonderful with Him. It's called peace. Finally, peace in your soul.