Together in the Storm

by Mathew Block

In June and July, the area of Manitoba where I live suffered two serious instances of flooding. The first storm centered on the town of Minitonas about twenty minutes away, causing serious damage there, though floodwaters hit homes on the edge of our town too. The second, however, hit the town of Swan River itself, causing the river here to overflow its banks and flow through the basements and main levels of numerous homes. Somewhere between 150 and 200 families were evacuated, and their houses suffered catastrophic damage.

Our own home was just outside the flood zone, quite literally; a barricade just outside our driveway kept people from driving past our home and down into one of the flooded areas. While we dealt with several days of water seeping into our basement after both storms, thankfully we were able to keep damage to a minimum. Sadly, this was not true for many others—including my wife’s parents. The river ran full-force through their neighbourhood, filling their basement and requiring it to be completely gutted. Numerous families in the area face similar tales of loss. The recovery process will be long and hard for many.

Some weeks after the flooding, I was worshipping with one of our congregations in Saskatoon, at which time the congregation sang “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” (LSB 576). The hymn calls us to place our confidence for salvation in Christ alone, but it does so by leaning heavily on storm and flood imagery. “His oath, His covenant and blood Support me in the raging flood,” we sang. “When ev’ry earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.” Meanwhile, memories of furiously filling sandbags alongside neighbours in ever-deepening waters played in my mind.

When the floods of this life come—and they do come to us all—we need somewhere firm to stand. The storm you face may not be a literal one. Maybe it’s illness. Maybe it’s unemployment. Maybe it’s frayed relationships, or loneliness. Maybe it’s the struggle with a particular sin.

In these and all life’s storms, Jesus is the anchor which holds you firm. “On Christ the solid rock I stand,” the hymnwriter says. “All other ground is sinking sand.” And it’s true. Christ alone is your hope for salvation. Christ alone is the Rock who holds you safe through the storm. “Besides me there is no god,” we read in Scripture. “There is no Rock; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:6, 8).

But while there is only one Rock, you are not alone in standing on it. “On Christ the solid rock I stand,” you sing. But so do I. So do all your fellow church members in Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC). We are “Together One,” as the theme from our recently completed synodical convention says. We stand on Christ alone but we stand together. We encourage each other, help each other to hold firm to our mutual Saviour. Together we cling to Christ, crucified for sinners—for you and me—and raised again for our salvation. What earthly or even infernal storm can prevail against that (Matthew 16:18)?

In this issue, we reflect on our recently completed convention. We find LCC President Elect David Haberstock’s initial remarks on the challenges and opportunities facing our synod today (page eleven). We hear selections from convention essayist Rev. Dr. Alex Vieira on the “koinonia” (commonly translated “fellowship”) we enjoy in Christ (page six). Likewise, we read selections from Rev. Dr. James A. Kellerman’s convention Bible study on the vision of peace in Christ we enjoy as Christians (page nine). We also find President Timothy Teuscher’s final column as president, where he unfolds for us the different levels of communion we experience with God and with each other through Holy Communion (page 42).

Oh heavenly Father, we thank you for making us all one through Your Son, Jesus Christ. May He be for us an anchor amidst the storms of this life, be they personal or communal, public or private. And may we, through the power and guidance of Your Holy Spirit, be a comfort one to another through these storms, walking together in unity and encouraging each other to stand firm in Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Mathew Block is editor of The Canadian Lutheran magazine and communications manager for the International Lutheran Council.

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