God Is Good, Even in the Storm
By Nestor Osman, Washington Conference youth, club ministries and summer camp director
In 2024, more than 60,000 Pathfinders experienced a frightening situation.
On Tuesday night at the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, a thunderstorm struck near the event venue. Thanks to the Lord, no injuries were reported, and everyone made it to shelter safely. This didn’t prevent some panic, however, as a natural disaster struck the heart of the Camporee — on the opening night — for the first time.
Why? Why would God send a storm to His children? The recorded precipitation that day was 0.36 inches (NCEI/NOAA). But why did God send us to Gillette, away from the traditional location in Oshkosh, Wisconsin?
Usually, we don’t have an easy answer and are called to trust in the Lord, especially during storms. But this time, it may be different.
On that same Tuesday, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, there were two thunderstorms, and the recorded precipitation for the day was 1.69 inches (NCEI/NOAA). Such heavy rain would have likely led to the cancellation of the event due to flooding.
In our Christian journey, if we’re honest with ourselves, we will experience storms. We can’t avoid them in this world of sin, but we also can’t fall into despair — because we have a shelter for those days.
Psalm 91:4 (NKJV) says,
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
Yes, feathers are waterproof — but there is no thunderstorm in the world, or in our lives, that can make a dent in God’s love for you and me.