Shelter From the Storm- Look, See, Pray

Corfe Castle haunts the skyline over the village. A place of conflict: built to protect the nearby lands, the castle was blown up by Cromwell’s New Model Army so it could not be used again by the Royalist forces in the English Civil War.

For about 600 years the castle stood firm. Then the storms of political change struck. “An Act of Parliament was passed to destroy Corfe Castle. Captain Hughes of Lulworth was given the job of demolishing it. His sappers dug deep holes packed with gunpowder to bring the towers and ramparts crashing down, resulting in the yawning gaps and crazy angles we see today.” – National Trust.

Such mighty walls once destroyed cannot be rebuilt. The day we visited, storm clouds kept blowing across, giving a suitably dramatic sky for the photo.

Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” – John 18 v36

This is the final shelter from the storm- not a fortress, but a home. We are invited to come and enter the only Kingdom that stands eternal- that of the King of Kings. There will be storms, wars, tragedy and disaster in this world UNTIL the purpose of God is fulfilled. Jesus faced the storm of crucifixion, yielding himself to death; and in the Resurrection the power of all storms is pacified, even Death itself.

As the writer of Hebrews put it: “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe…” Hebrews 12 v28. Safe at last-

These lyrics by Paul Field make the point:

The rich man and the poor man side by side, with the crooked and the crippled and the lame
The tired and disappointed, the hopeful and assured
Underneath the skin our hearts are shaped the same

Some may come in satin or in silk, or naked as the day when they were born
The masterful & mighty, the humble and the meek
Come together seeking shelter from the storm…