Rev. Dr. Joshua Scott
Pastor at Greater Providence Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC
A hurricane is a tropical storm with violent winds that reach a constant speed of 70-74 miles-per-hour or more. This rotating storm, mixed with strong winds in a spiral arrangement, can threaten life, happiness or property. Hurricanes combine thunder, wind and rain for a deadly cocktail that produces fear, tragedy and chaos. Unfortunately, humanity cannot control the weather and cannot stop hurricanes.
Families and individuals alike can prepare for hurricanes by:
1) Knowing your evacuation zone
2) Making a plan or building a kit
3) Strengthening your home
4) Having an insurance checkup
5) Helping others in your community
But what do you do when the hurricanes of disappointment, rejection, racism and multiple life transitions arrives at your front door? This is where I have found myself in the last 18 months—in a deadly hurricane that has attempted to assassinate my purpose, my happiness, and my relationship with God.
I was once told by an older woman in Jamaica, “Prayer is like a door that you can open at any time.” This statement is strikingly accurate amidst the hurricane that has infiltrated my life in the past 18 months. Romans 8:38-39 has offered me beautiful peace in this turbulent time. Paul’s words have comforted me, and I read them often. Understanding that the hurricanes of life do not cease, halt or stop God’s love has helped my prayer life evolve. I now pray to commune with God instead of uttering my laundry list of wants. My rhythm of prayer has shifted from cute sayings to an enormous desire to see the Savior.
My wife, Lauren, has been my prayer partner amid this hurricane season of life. We have prayed through different devotionals and promises of scripture. We have asked to see God while running and walking our dog, Dawn. We have asked for more of God as we have wept over the death of many loved ones. In community together, prayer has been our language of love to God to voice our frustration and to thank God for saving our lives and equipping us with faith in this hurricane season.
Although the hurricane of Covid is beginning to cease, I am thankful for this hurricane. This turbulent season of life has allowed me to embrace a more personal form of prayer. Inside the hurricane, I met Jesus, and I promise never to let Him go.
PRAY . . . GIVE . . . GO . . .