Take Refuge

I thought I knew the meaning of the word "refuge" until I read this morning's passage from Psalm 34:15-22. The dictionary tells us that refuge is defined as shelter or protection from danger. Simple enough of a definition, right, except that it doesn't fully explain what that protection is.

Imagine you're in a violent storm. Rain drops as big as pennies being whipped around by 50 mph winds. The trees around you are being bent to their limits as the grounds become saturated and soft, threatening to release those trees to fly where the winds would carry them. Loose items which are light enough to be carried from one place to another pass by you with blinding speed.

As the howling winds intensify the thunder gets close enough to shake the ground bellowing from the dark skies above. Then, suddenly, a flash of light appears so close that the heat can be felt through your entire body. You look around for someplace to hide, someplace safe. Through the blinding rain you see a small home, built of solid stone and run towards it, dodging small branches and flying debris.

As you reach the building you look inside and see that it's full of people and there seems to be no room for one more. The people in the small building reach out to you, pull you in, and hold on to you as they make room to fit one more. They are strangers to you, although you know them as neighbors. In that room, and in the embrace of your neighbors you ride out the storm, somehow feeling safer, somehow knowing everything will be alright.

The storm passes, you and your neighbors flow out of that building, and as you look around you see that a lot of damage has been done by the storm. Some of your neighbors begin to cry as they realize most of their home is gone, taking a lot of the physical memories with it. You go to hold one of them, feeling the need to apologize for the storm and what it may have taken from her. "It's okay", she says, "they were only pictures." With that comment you somehow know everything will turn out fine.

So, let me ask you this question after reading that short story...which was a better refuge, the building or the people?

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18)