Rain, Wind, Soul - by Rick Rapp

Rain, Wind, Soul

© 2009 Rick Rapp

-A response to Acts 27:22 (used as a sermon illustration) – “But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.”

Gentle winds
give way to harsh gusts
and dark clouds
block the sun
as rain begins to fall
on the shell of one’s existence.

The storm alters
the plans of men,
alters my plans
of peaceful sunsets
and green grass naps
as the wind rips through
my protective shell.

The hurricane rages
pushing our ship, our shell
against its limits, its rocks
and we cry out for the smooth waters
that we think our God promised…
cry out for healing, for provision, for rescue
without seeking
to understand the storm.

But when we pause
as rain pelts our face
and dissolves what remains of the shell
maybe we can just make out a voice
in the wind
calling to our spirit
seeking out our courage
seeking out our humility
seeking out our soul’s reality.

And when the clouds clear
the sun shines brilliantly
on the decimated shell,
the decimated lifestyle,
in pieces on the ground
surrounding a beautiful joy, a profound wisdom
emanating from
our storm-washed hearts,
our storm-taught mind,
our God-cleansed eyes.