Be Still My Heart

Job 37:1-3 -- "At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place. Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth."

Image: Steven Dalton, Mickler's Landing at Ponte Vedra

Sprinkles of sand clung to the sides of my feet like sugar dusting a cookie. I could feel the burn on my shoulders that had already begun to glow red with too much sun and behind my eyes drew the subtle head ache that comes from squinting against the bright of a crystal clear sky.

But oh, the shark's teeth we hauled in that afternoon! So sweet was the reward from our efforts that it pained all four of us when we noticed the clouds roll in from the West. The storm was a good ways off, yet - our stretch of beach still stood showered with bright Florida sunshine. But having strolled a few miles from the parking lot, we decided to head back in at a leisurely pace and call it a day.


Focused on the sand at my feet ever hopeful of finding another shark's tooth - I didn't notice the hair on my arms stand up, or the goose-bumps start to form with a sharp drop in temperature. It was still so bright. The storm clouds were still so far away that it never occurred to any of us to put some pep into our step.

Until .... BAM!!

Right behind us on the beach still marked by our footprints - lightning hit the sand with a noise so loud it took several minutes for the ringing in my ears to stop. We broke into a  panicked run and didn't stop to catch our breath until all the doors on the car had safely sealed us inside and the engine purred to life.

My heart-rate didn't slow down until we were safely inland - back home, counting out our spoils.

Wow. What a different outcome our pleasant lazy afternoon could have provided had we been just a few feet further down the beach?

I will never forget the raw display of power that afternoon during a routine stroll as we enjoyed one of our favorite pass-times. I am reminded of the wonderful strength in our Father's voice. I am mindful of the might in His out-stretched hands and the vastness of His mercy.


Words spoken to Job in chapter 37 ring out loud and clear as he is reminded to think upon God's amazing power. What human drama, tragedy, or life event could compare to the might in just one hand of God?

At this, my heart pounds and leaps from its place.