Paul Mercer
Thursday, 13 March 2025
The air, warm and moist carried a faint beat. Expectation was quickening in sky and sea, and heart rates trended North. An eerie prolonged lull enfolded. Is the rider of the storm practicing laps of grace?
Wind gusts playfully licked at structure, and vegetation alike. Thundering waves carved new coastline contours. It is said the God who made heaven and earth, lovingly holds the vast creation in the being of Father, Son and Spirit. Creation is ever-present.
The winds roared and twisted with uncanny menace. Roof joists groaned. Trees huddled in their canopy’s embrace. All creatures were quiet; listening. Maybe, the voice of God comes as the rider of the storm. In raw power and bursts of heavy rain, the great storm of the sea began its journey to land. It arrived.
At first we laid low, breathing a little deeply and praying for protection. Were we prepared? Were we ready for destruction of natural resources, of human constructs, or life itself?
A fierce sensation of wind provokes the mind. Is this creator God riding the storm in pleasure? Or is judgement in the cloudy sails? Whirling gusts play a music both enraged and enchanting. We strain the air to catch its tune.
‘Our maker rides the storm in love’, is a story we have heard. Providence goes about its good work. It never promises perfection, but issues in a doxology of joy. Will our eyes see this creator of majesty ride into the eye of the storm? Is the One who holds the world in his hands, also present to us in our moment of truth? My heart yearns for its maker. Is love and tears of sorrow mingled with this pounding rain? Is the Spirit rushing like the flood?
If this rider of the storm brings redemption in his wings, the liminality of our storm will issue in the calm of peace.
If this rider is God almighty, who establishes his throne over the flood, then I will call out Lord, Lord! Have mercy on me, a sinner.
A young voice spoke, ‘this is the first time God has answered my prayer’.
Paul Mercer is a Brisbane GP who is an occasional contributor to Ethos, He is part of the Holy Scribblers writing group and Chairs Health Serve Global.
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