Depending on where you live in the US, chances are that if you are anywhere near the midwest, as we are in central Indiana, you have been stuck inside for at least two days – many of us have been inside longer. Thousands of flights have been cancelled and the airport was closed. Even O’Hare airport in Chicago was closed for much of today.
The point of all this is that God, or perhaps Mother Nature if you are a non-believer, has put on quite a show the last several days. Here in central Indiana we had about 12 ” of snow yesterday and another inch or so overnight. Last Saturday was spent preparing for the storm, yesterday we were in the storm and today we are dealing with the aftermath of the storm. There are more than 40,000 people without power in the Indianapolis area and the temperature is falling – it is anticipated that tonight could be the coldest evening in almost 100 years. Real temperatures could hit -20 degrees with wind chills that could make it feel like -48 or so.
The governor of the state has issued an emergency order that has required everyone except essential personnel to stay off the streets and there was even a plea from the mayor of Indianapolis for businesses in Indianapolis to close today. The schools are all closed, both today and for tomorrow, and the airwaves are filled with stories of mothers who are growing a little weary of their kids being at home. Let’s not forget that the Christmas break has been in full swing so all the kids have been off for at least several weeks now. Cabin fever is really setting in.
The weather is so cold that Facebook is filled with videos of people filling mugs with boiling water and then tossing them up into the air – watching the water vaporize almost instantly. Kids can’t play outside or build snowmen because their skin will freeze within several minutes and so many homes are without power that the local hotels are filling up fast with guests who can’t get warm at home. The energy company is predicting that it could be Thursday before power is restored to most of the area.
Janet and I are actually rather fortunate. We have power, heat and running water. I have been outside to make sure that the driveway and sidewalks stay clear, which is a challenge due to the high wind speed. And I was able to hire somebody to do Kristin’s driveway so I don’t have to keep bringing the snowblower over to her house. Needless to say, it is beautiful outside, but another several days of this and people are really going to be stir crazy.
I am reminded that many of the miracles of God happened to faithful people who were stuck inside. There are many instances of being in the temple, or eating the Passover lamb inside your home, but there is one story in particular that really sticks in my mind when I think about being inside. That is the story of the woman who has no money for the debtors and she is instructed to enter her home, close the door and follow the instructions she had been given. She ended up being able to pay off her debts with the oil that she sold as a result of a miracle that God performed during her act of obedience.
We are told, in 2 Kings 4:4, “Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” Of course, although the woman only had a small amount of oil, it kept flowing and soon all the jars and containers that she had were filled. It was only then that the oil stopped flowing.
My encouragement this evening is that God is able and willing to do miracles in your life as well. Maybe, He is already doing them but you are too busy to notice. Or maybe you are expecting more obvious miracles than the ones that God is doing in your life. My prayer is that you will take the time to really study your situation, even if it appears tough, and that you will realize all the great things that God is doing in your life. And who knows, in another day or two, maybe you will be able to return to a more normal, hectic life. Then again, maybe you will look back on these forced Sabbath days of rest with fondness. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…