Storm Chasers.....

Below is a picture of hurricane Sandy that ravaged the east coast.  So I am sitting here thinking about hurricane sandy and all the people that have been struck this "perfect storm" as people have called it.  Praying for those that made it and those that had been lost in this storm.

This storm got me thinking about these people that chase after tornadoes.  There is a show aptly titled with the same name as the title of this blog post on Discovery Channel.  These people are, in my opinion  one part scientist, one part meteorologist and one part psychotic.  Anyone that is willing to chase after something so destructive it can level cities is, in my opinion, insane and reckless.  The real truth is that storm chasing is actually relatively safe when handled properly.

I am a big movie buff and one of my all time favorites is a movie called "Twister".  This movie is all about storm chasing and the excitement and danger behind it.  Now like most movies; this is over exaggerated.  The truth of the matter is most of the time a typical day for a storm chaser goes like this; eat breakfast, see a tornado, see a tornado, eat lunch, see a tornado, see a tornado, eat dinner, see a tornado, go to sleep.  The truth of the matter is; anyone that is looking fsor a "Twister movie" like experience will be greatly disappointed.

Christians chase storms all the time.  Now I know you are thinking....wait a minute; why in the world would a Christian, a believer of Christ, want to chase after a storm.  Simple; they want the rainbow on the other side.  As believers we get so caught up on that rainbow on the other side, that we don't know how to endure the storm, like those professional storm chasers do, responsibly.  God's word teaches how to handle a storm when we are in it.

God knows his children, and like children we sometimes are a glutton for punishment and or blinded by what we want versus what we should stay away from.  Some of us chase relationship storms where we just gotta be in one or we gotta be in one with this person.  Knowing full well the Lord has not told you to go near that storm but you went away.  Or some of us are chasing that employment storm.  Yes it pays good and can take care of our financial needs, but its keeping us from church and worship; it's keeping us from our spouse and families which is our first ministry.

The Lord uses storms to perfect us.  It may not be our preferred method of choice, but let's face it God has a better track record than any man or scholar. You can't handle a storm properly if you don't have the necessary tools and training.  Staying in your word prepares you for the storms.  Praying prepares you for the storms.  Even with the ones you should be avoiding altogether; you can still go through the storm better and come out alive if you are protected and aware.  Remember most deaths that come from weather storm chasers are caused by debris.

It may not be the relationship storm you are chasing that is going to kill you, but it may be the friends of the one you are pursuing that will do you in.  It may not be the actual money from the job storm you are chasing that will harm you, but the fact that company may close in a years time after you just spent all your time and effort chasing this storm.  The debris can be just as dangerous if not moreso than the actual storm itself.

Don't chase storms but if you do find youself in one; whether it be by your own fault or the Lord has decided to put you in one, learn how to go through it correctly.  Stay in your word; know the promises of God and that you can learn from your storms and come out on the other side.