Weekly devotional: Power in the storm

Jun. 24, 2022

Ka Ipu o Lono shares weekly devotionals to provide spiritual enrichment to members of the Kamehameha Schools ‘ohana. For more inspiration, visit the KS “Our faith” website.

 

Heluhelu Baibala
Nāna nō e hoʻopiʻi ka ʻohu mai nā kihi aku o ka honua; Nāna nō e hana nā uwila no ka ua,
A hoʻopuka maila ʻo ia i ka makani mai loko mai o kona waihona. – Nā Halelū 135:7

He causes the mist to ascend from the ends of the earth, He makes lightning for the rain; He brings forth the wind from His treasuries. – Psalm 135:7

He manaʻo o ke kahu
It’s hurricane season and time to make your preparations. Water, dry food, medicine, car fueled up, clean up around the house to remove anything that might take flight and cause damage. Check, check and check. We do everything so we might be able to get through the storm. Have you ever looked into the storm to see the power of God?

While in seminary, I served as an intern at a church in southern California. We took the youth on a month-long cross-country trip – 36 teens, 12 adults traveled through 33 states (and an unscheduled detour to Canada) over 32. Our caravan consisted of a chartered bus, RV for meals and a pick-up truck for supplies. To keep costs down, we stayed at Kampgrounds of America sites (yes, that’s how they spell their name) sleeping in tents.

On the second day of the trip halfway through Texas, we stopped for the night, set up our tents, and gathered to eat. After dinner, I sat with a couple kids who seemed to be having a difficult time adjusting to the trip. In the distance, we could see lightning lighting up the sky, the claps of thunder slowly making their way to us. I had them count the seconds between the two to see how far away the strikes were. They were mesmerized in the power of the storm. This simple activity calmed them down. I wanted them to see the power IN the storm; God’s power. This was the God who CALLED the world into being, who calmed the seas, and raised the dead to life. This was the God who was realizing his power for all to see.

God revealed himself so many times over this trip – in the mist over the Great Smoky Mountains, the chilling breeze around Boston Harbor, the raging rapids of the Nanatahala River, and the cool quiet mornings in Montreal. As you see the power of the storms of life, see the power IN the storms. See the God who brought this world into creation with just His leo. When you do, you will be able to get through the challenging moments that suddenly spring up. The storms won’t cause you to fear because you have the Almighty ready to part the clouds and bring you sunny days.