I had a picture when I was praying recently of a whirlwind and in the whirlwind were people and houses. The whirlwind was fast and destructive but in the centre of the whirlwind in the place I identified as prayer there was peace and sanctuary from the storm even as it continued. Then I saw that as people prayed other people in the whirlwind also came into a place of peace and refuge and they were built into a tower a place of safety.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land” (NIV).

As Christians we have not always spoken up for the oppressed or supported the poor. As a nation we have consumed and now we are being consumed by debt, addiction, suspicion and fear, and as we have pursued the material others have pursued us. I feel like I have been asleep and am waking up to a reality that I could have challenged and spoken up earlier as I have been part of the problem and I need God to help me be part of the solution. Father have mercy for I have sinned. The sin of ommision is indeed great. You gave me gifts and I have not spoken. I have been quiet. I have hidden my light under a bushel for fear of rejection. I have chosen the road of comfort and not rocking the boat. I have chosen to remain silent rather than speak up for what I believe in even when this is ridiculed and challenged. I have been challenged to get out of my religious ghetto and serve people in my community as the opportunity arises. To move amongst the crowd not in fear but in love. To listen to their stories as well as sharing my own. New beginnings but trusting God and leaning not on my own understanding, acknowledging him for it is him that directs my path.

In the last year my household has experienced redundancy, illness and other shakings. Yet God has helped us and is helping us through this storm. The Lord is indeed a strong tower. The righteous run in and they are safe.