"Just A Minute" with Pastor Darrell
Can I Sleep Through a Storm?
A rancher was looking for help and he put the word out. A week or so later a man came around
to talk about filling the job. The rancher asked if he felt he was capable and willing to do all the
necessary tasks to keep the place running smoothly and without letting anything slip through
the cracks. The man simply replied, “I can sleep through a storm.” The rancher took a step back
and eyed-balled the man and said, “I didn’t ask about your ability to sleep nights, I’m asking
you, are you a steady hand or a slouch?” Again, the man repeated his qualifications, “I can sleep
through a storm.” Desperate, the rancher hired him on and hoped for the best.
Sure enough, within the week, a storm rolled onto the plains and came in hard! The farmer
jumped out of bed and ran out to the barn to see if the stock had been put up. Sure enough,
the horses were in the barn, the various coops, cages and pens were closed and secure. The hay
loft door was latched, and the equipment was covered and protected. He poked his head into
the bunkhouse and saw the man sound asleep and snoring loudly.
Then it occurred to the rancher what the man was truly telling him; “I will fulfill my
responsibilities. I will put everything, that is under my control, in order. I will not wait until
tomorrow to do what I should have done today. Therefore, I’ll be able to have peace and rest
when the storms come.”
How have you prepared to weather the storms of life? Are you paralyzed with the fear that
you’ve left something undone? Now is the time to reflect and take stock; what should I be
doing differently than I have been doing in the past? What goals, what projects, what decisions
have I left for tomorrow?
Unfortunately, circumstance has caught many people off guard. Maybe they are feeling the
sting of decisions left unmade or suffering through unwise choices that are now taking their
toll. On the other hand, maybe you feel that you’ve made a very good effort to fulfill your
obligations and responsibilities and you have put everything under your control in order. Then,
as a Christ follower, there’s nothing else for you to do, but, to trust and obey as each day
presents itself. Know that the Lord is aware of your circumstance and, “Trust in the Lord with all
your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and
he will make your path straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
Should the Lord allow it, these present times will pass. Health, wealth and peace will return.
Like spring, the days will grow warmer, longer and the sun will shine brighter. How will you look
back on these times? Did you trust and obey the One who gave you your days, or did you
tremble in a corner? Did you continue to prepare as though future storms will come? They will,
but God is with you and preparing you for them, even now. Rest assured.
A rancher was looking for help and he put the word out. A week or so later a man came around
to talk about filling the job. The rancher asked if he felt he was capable and willing to do all the
necessary tasks to keep the place running smoothly and without letting anything slip through
the cracks. The man simply replied, “I can sleep through a storm.” The rancher took a step back
and eyed-balled the man and said, “I didn’t ask about your ability to sleep nights, I’m asking
you, are you a steady hand or a slouch?” Again, the man repeated his qualifications, “I can sleep
through a storm.” Desperate, the rancher hired him on and hoped for the best.
Sure enough, within the week, a storm rolled onto the plains and came in hard! The farmer
jumped out of bed and ran out to the barn to see if the stock had been put up. Sure enough,
the horses were in the barn, the various coops, cages and pens were closed and secure. The hay
loft door was latched, and the equipment was covered and protected. He poked his head into
the bunkhouse and saw the man sound asleep and snoring loudly.
Then it occurred to the rancher what the man was truly telling him; “I will fulfill my
responsibilities. I will put everything, that is under my control, in order. I will not wait until
tomorrow to do what I should have done today. Therefore, I’ll be able to have peace and rest
when the storms come.”
How have you prepared to weather the storms of life? Are you paralyzed with the fear that
you’ve left something undone? Now is the time to reflect and take stock; what should I be
doing differently than I have been doing in the past? What goals, what projects, what decisions
have I left for tomorrow?
Unfortunately, circumstance has caught many people off guard. Maybe they are feeling the
sting of decisions left unmade or suffering through unwise choices that are now taking their
toll. On the other hand, maybe you feel that you’ve made a very good effort to fulfill your
obligations and responsibilities and you have put everything under your control in order. Then,
as a Christ follower, there’s nothing else for you to do, but, to trust and obey as each day
presents itself. Know that the Lord is aware of your circumstance and, “Trust in the Lord with all
your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and
he will make your path straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
Should the Lord allow it, these present times will pass. Health, wealth and peace will return.
Like spring, the days will grow warmer, longer and the sun will shine brighter. How will you look
back on these times? Did you trust and obey the One who gave you your days, or did you
tremble in a corner? Did you continue to prepare as though future storms will come? They will,
but God is with you and preparing you for them, even now. Rest assured.
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