James R. Davis

While overlooking the Gulf of Mexico during the GREAT winter storm of 1993, I thought about how the inner storms of life bring wisdom and understanding.

Experience is a great teacher. We learn the most from what affects us personally. The English artist Joseph Turner once invited the preacher and novelist Charles Kingsley to his studio to see a picture he had just completed of a storm at sea. Filled with admiration, Kingsley inquired, "How did you make it so realistic?" The artist replied, "When I decided to paint this scene, I thought it would be best to go to the coast of Holland and hire a fisherman to take me out in his boat during an actual storm. I knew this was the only way I could get a feel for my subject. The boatman bound me to the mast so I could watch the squall in safety. I not only observed it and sensed its power, but the tempest blew itself into me until I seemed to become a part of it. When it was over, I was able to depict on canvas all the fury I had felt at sea."

In the Christian life we acquire much knowledge as we study the Bible, but true wisdom only comes as the principles are applied to real life. We can analyze, discuss, and debate the principles of God, but the word fails to take on real meaning until we experience it in the crucible of our existence. The prophets of old, were great spokesmen for God because they first personally experienced God's principles as they weathered the storms of life. It is only possible to learn the deeper lessons of life as the Word comes to life in us.

Job was a mature faithful follower of God before his trials and tribulation (Job 1:1), but he did not really know God, until he had weathered the storms of life. It was then that Job said, "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. (Job 42:5 NIV.)

While watching the great winter storm of 1993 I watched this storm peel shingles from roofs and send them flying through the air like feathers, I thought, storms have a way of revealing what is real and lasting.  In times of our deepest crisis, we gain wisdom that enables us to discover who we really are, of what we are truly made, and what life is seriously about.

 It is not the storm without, but the enemy within that poses our greatest threat. In Victor Hugo's story, "Ninety-Three," a ship is caught in a storm. The frightened crew hears a terrible crashing sound below. Immediately the men know what it is: a cannon has broken loose and is crashing into the ship's side with every smashing blow of the sea! Two men, at the risk of their lives, manage to fasten it down again, for they know that the unfastened cannon is more dangerous than the raging storm. Hillery C. Price made this application: "Many people are like that ship--their greatest danger areas lie within their own lives."

How does one weather the storms of life? An old seaman said, "In fierce storms we can do but one thing. There is only one way [to survive]; we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there." Commenting on this idea, Richard Fuller wrote, "This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord; and, come what may-- winds, waves, cross, seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers--no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm and hold fast your confidence in God's faithfulness and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus."