“Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.”
— Psalm 68:9

Rain is a blessing—especially if you are sheltered under a good roof.

Sometimes rain can be overwhelming, even destructive. Storms often become metaphors for life’s troubles and challenges.

The church is meant to be a shelter from those storms.

Among God’s people we find comfort, strength, encouragement, and perspective.

Church buildings provide shelter as well.

But what happens when the shelter does not keep the rain out?

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When the Roof Springs a Leak

I remember when the roof of our church sprang a leak.

Actually, it did not begin as a leak.

It began as a hole.

A legitimate hole.

We were repairing the structure beneath the roof, and access was required. During what we believed would be a dry spell, a section of roofing was temporarily removed.

A hole rarely bothers anyone when left undisturbed.

Unless storms come.

And storms come often in our world—to people, communities, and even churches.

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Imperfect Structures

Structures fail.

Holes need to be repaired.

Buildings, institutions, and people sometimes fail.

Leaks happen.

The church is not perfect because it is made of perfect materials. It is the body of Christ made of human beings.

He is perfect.
We are being perfected.

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Shelter in the Storm

Even during leaky, stormy seasons, the church endures.

Through wars, persecutions, scandals, failures, and weaknesses, the church has persevered.

And it will persevere.

That is God’s plan.

Until then, the church continues to be a shelter—however imperfect—for the storm-tossed people of this world who see Christ in her midst.

May she always be so.

Leaks and all.

And may we always place our trust not in the structure, but in the Cornerstone and Head of the Church—Jesus Christ.

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A Hymn of Confidence

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

— Edward Mote

Where has God sheltered you during the storms of life?