Lead Us to the Rock

By Anna

"Our house is a mess (toys scattered everywhere, beds unmade, dirty dishes piled high and traveling back on the counter, food that needs somebody to do something with it...), and it needs a cleaning to help it smell better. We have lots of learning to do in our schoolwork and yet we are behind in our studies. We need help to understand and to prepare for our tests. We have house projects that need most of us to help with. There's other people that want us to come over and babysit for them. We are staying up late trying to stay on top of our homework and not getting enough sleep, and therefore waking up late and not having enough of our day to fix all of the above. Wow! What should, can, do we do !?" (Laura Linzey, 10/9/15)

Have you ever had a day in your life that you felt overwhelmed? When it felt like every time you tried to take one step forward, it seemed as though you took two step backwards instead? When you had too much to do at the end of the day and there was no time left to do it? When everything came upon you at once and there wasn't enough of you to go around? When all you wanted to do was wake up and it be a dream? When the urge to walk away from everything didn't seem like too bad of an idea and you could be free? 

There was one lady that we knew several years ago who had this disposition: living in trying circumstances, she would reply when asked how she was doing with a smile saying, "I'm feeling pressed to the Lord." That is exactly where God wants us. Pressed to Him. Close to His heart. Held tightly in His arms, safe and secure. 

Too often, the only times that we feel the need to draw closer to Him is in the times that things aren't going so well, or when we are drowning in the responsibilities that are placed on us. But God understands. He does not harp on us when things get tough, rather, He welcomes us into His presence with a smile and gently exhorts us, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

It's in the trying times, when we are being stretched beyond what we think we are able that God proves His grace is sufficient. When we think we can continue pressing forward no longer, His strength is sustaining. When our attitude fails and we can no longer keep a smile on our face, His love is unconditional. 

There's a quote that I have found encouraging in the pressing times that says, "Sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes God lets the storm rage and calms His child." (Unknown) 

Life would be easier if there were no storms, no flurries, no downpours... But God is bigger than that, and He wants to show Himself strong in our behalf, all we have to do is call His name. "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." (Psalm 61:1-3)

This reminds me of a choral piece our church choir sang a couple weeks ago called "The I of the Storm" by Kenny Kuykendall. Pay attention to the words of this powerful song:

They didn't understand why He didn't come

As they made their way toward the other side

As they left the shore, they faced the storm

And suddenly, they feared for their lives

But upon the sea there Someone walked

On the water as they listened for His cry

And soon they heard Him call their names

And tenderly He said, "It is I."

He's the I of the storm

The center of my calm

The place where I find shelter

The place where I find warmth

The center of my ways

The keeper of my days

When I can't feel the sun shine

And my ship is tossed and torn

He's the I of the storm

They couldn't understand how the Prince of Peace

Could find them in the middle of the sea

But with little faith and God's good grace

Joy would overcome their desperate please

Now there are times in life when I face the storm

And I wonder if I ever will survive

That's when I hear Him call out my name

And tenderly He says, "It is I."

He's the I of the storm

The center of my calm

The place where I find shelter

The place where I find warmth

The center of my ways

The keeper of my days

When I can't feel the sun shine

And my ship is tossed and torn

He's the I of the storm

Do not fear when He is near

Take hold of His strong hand

Listen closely to His words

He's the Great I AM

The Great I AM still is

The heavens and the earth are His

He's the Merciful Almighty, forever Holy

In everything we must remember this:

The Great I AM still is --

The I of the storm

The center of my calm

The place where I find shelter

The place where I find warmth

The center of my ways

The keeper of my days

When I can't feel the sun shine

And my ship is tossed and torn

He's the I of the storm

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 
(1 Peter 5:6)