Waves and Storms
Trials are often described in oceanic terms. They are waves and breakers that wash over us.
I’m sure this resonates with our coast-dwelling friends, but what about us—the people of the plains?
As our family has gone through a month of weathering these trials, I’ve come to think of them as dark clouds.
There they are, looming ahead, threatening thunder, stalking closer, bearing down on us.
Often, the experience isn’t limited to one thunderhead. There are multiple. One bursts upon our heads, there's a reprieve, and then the next builds overhead.
Sometimes the sky clears between these storms, but often it remains a roiling grey until dark clouds gather again.
I’m sure this resonates with our coast-dwelling friends, but what about us—the people of the plains?
As our family has gone through a month of weathering these trials, I’ve come to think of them as dark clouds.
There they are, looming ahead, threatening thunder, stalking closer, bearing down on us.
Often, the experience isn’t limited to one thunderhead. There are multiple. One bursts upon our heads, there's a reprieve, and then the next builds overhead.
Sometimes the sky clears between these storms, but often it remains a roiling grey until dark clouds gather again.
The Rohirrim
I've gone through this season of storms feeling like another people of the plains: the Rohirrim. They knew well the reality of storms, both literal and figurative, on the plains of Rohan in Tolkien's Middle-earth. They also knew well the roiling grey between storm fronts.
As I've reflected on this noble and legendary people, I keep coming back to the moment they faced just after the Battle of the Hornburg (The Battle of Helm's Deep). There, they stood against the full, dark force of Saruman's armies and emerged victorious, yet they still must face the seemingly indomitable and much darker forces of Mordor at the Siege of Minas Tirith and the Battle of the Morannon (The Battle of the Black Gate). The unlikely has been accomplished, yet the impossible lies ahead.
As I've reflected on this noble and legendary people, I keep coming back to the moment they faced just after the Battle of the Hornburg (The Battle of Helm's Deep). There, they stood against the full, dark force of Saruman's armies and emerged victorious, yet they still must face the seemingly indomitable and much darker forces of Mordor at the Siege of Minas Tirith and the Battle of the Morannon (The Battle of the Black Gate). The unlikely has been accomplished, yet the impossible lies ahead.
In this moment, the Rohirrim stand after a terrible storm has swept over them. They have weathered it at great cost, and they know they cannot weather another. Yet on the horizon another storm brews, and it is far worse than what they just faced.
To their credit, the Rohirrim do not balk, they plunge forward toward the towering darkness. They are near certain they will meet their doom, yet they fight for victory, their families, and their honor. They will not cower.
To their credit, the Rohirrim do not balk, they plunge forward toward the towering darkness. They are near certain they will meet their doom, yet they fight for victory, their families, and their honor. They will not cower.
Legendary
We're so used to living in this world that we begin to think that the storms we face here aren't nearly as legendary as the storms that swept over Middle-earth. But that's not true. The tales of Middle-earth were written by a mere man; the tales of Earth were written by the Living God.
Not to mention that the enemies of our souls—sin, death, and the devil—make the villains of Middle-earth look like simple, schoolyard bullies.
We do well to remember that we're characters in the greatest story ever told. A story that all other good and true stories point to as best and truest. A story into which angels long to look. A story that for all eternity will never grow old.
There is much we can learn from the tenacity, determination, and joy of the Rohirrim. But we're not them, and we're not meant to be. They simply point us to our greater calling.
We're a people far more legendary. A people redeemed by the blood of God Himself. A people that marches beneath a banner which the gates of Hell shall not prevail against. A people who are citizens of the Celestial City and servants of the King of kings. We're Christians.
Not to mention that the enemies of our souls—sin, death, and the devil—make the villains of Middle-earth look like simple, schoolyard bullies.
We do well to remember that we're characters in the greatest story ever told. A story that all other good and true stories point to as best and truest. A story into which angels long to look. A story that for all eternity will never grow old.
There is much we can learn from the tenacity, determination, and joy of the Rohirrim. But we're not them, and we're not meant to be. They simply point us to our greater calling.
We're a people far more legendary. A people redeemed by the blood of God Himself. A people that marches beneath a banner which the gates of Hell shall not prevail against. A people who are citizens of the Celestial City and servants of the King of kings. We're Christians.
The Solid Rock
As Christians, we have a fortress stronger than Helm's Deep. We have a refuge more secure than Minas Tirith. We have Jesus Christ, the Solid Rock.
Standing there, the testing we face produces steadfastness which makes us perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:3-4). Standing there, the genuineness of our faith is tested and proven to be more precious than gold refined by fire (1 Peter 1:7)
The storms will batter me, but they break against the Rock on which I stand. Dark clouds are not substantive compared to the Solid Rock. The Solid Rock is rock-solid reality.
Standing there, the testing we face produces steadfastness which makes us perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:3-4). Standing there, the genuineness of our faith is tested and proven to be more precious than gold refined by fire (1 Peter 1:7)
The storms will batter me, but they break against the Rock on which I stand. Dark clouds are not substantive compared to the Solid Rock. The Solid Rock is rock-solid reality.
Charles Spurgeon, using oceanic terms again, once said, “I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages.”
Amen. And may we also learn to count as blessing the storms which serve as the chariots of our Lord (Ps. 104:3-4).
Amen. And may we also learn to count as blessing the storms which serve as the chariots of our Lord (Ps. 104:3-4).
When Dark Clouds Gather
by Avery V Johnson
When dark clouds gather, to batter
Against my soul
When they do their worst, to burst
My precious faith
I take my stand, on land
Proven and true
Holding tightly, trusting mightily
The Solid Rock
Where those dread foes, well know
Their sure defeat
Where I have learned, God turns
Trials into blessings
Doxological Extras
1) My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less written by Edward Mote and performed by Reawaken Hymns
2) Our God Will Go Before Us by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa