“And a great
windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already
filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and
said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose
and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind
ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:37-39 NKJ)
windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already
filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and
said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose
and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind
ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:37-39 NKJ)
We Christians
sometimes project the image of a Pollyanna world. “I am too blessed to be
stressed.” Really? On which side of the planet? Then, there are those who
are “blessed and highly favored.” So? And the rest of us struggling
in the storms of life are not? I am not criticizing anyone’s positive attitude.
Yet, this is about reality, not about being positive or keeping our chins up.
It’s about living an example of faith when in the midst of life’s storms.
sometimes project the image of a Pollyanna world. “I am too blessed to be
stressed.” Really? On which side of the planet? Then, there are those who
are “blessed and highly favored.” So? And the rest of us struggling
in the storms of life are not? I am not criticizing anyone’s positive attitude.
Yet, this is about reality, not about being positive or keeping our chins up.
It’s about living an example of faith when in the midst of life’s storms.
We don’t want to be
seen as weak, yet Paul the Apostle claimed the Lord explained to him, “My
grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in
weakness” (2Corinthians 12:9 NKJ).
And Paul responded, “Therefore most
gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest
upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in
persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am
strong” (9-10).
seen as weak, yet Paul the Apostle claimed the Lord explained to him, “My
grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in
weakness” (2Corinthians 12:9 NKJ).
And Paul responded, “Therefore most
gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest
upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in
persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am
strong” (9-10).
While the current
governmental shutdown affects all Americans, there is a myriad of storms
blowing through individual lives. Families are being torn apart. Children are
being abused. Careers are being disrupted. Jobs have been lost. Past sins have
destroyed lives and some have no idea how to begin again. Some have no idea
where their next meal is coming from. Some are depending on WIC to feed their
babies, but WIC is experiencing financial troubles.
governmental shutdown affects all Americans, there is a myriad of storms
blowing through individual lives. Families are being torn apart. Children are
being abused. Careers are being disrupted. Jobs have been lost. Past sins have
destroyed lives and some have no idea how to begin again. Some have no idea
where their next meal is coming from. Some are depending on WIC to feed their
babies, but WIC is experiencing financial troubles.
The impending
disaster in individual circumstances may threaten whether a person or family
gets safely to the other side or not. And all we have to offer is some
immature, pollyannian pronouncement? If God is in our boat, then surely we have
more to offer.
disaster in individual circumstances may threaten whether a person or family
gets safely to the other side or not. And all we have to offer is some
immature, pollyannian pronouncement? If God is in our boat, then surely we have
more to offer.
Christianity is more
than a series of cute quips that can be repeated over and over until our mental
spirits are lifted. We have faith in a person, not in our ability. We aren’t on
a deserted island with some Tarzan-dude trying to survive. Instead, we are
individually dealing with reality right where we live. And except the Lord is
in our boat the winds and waves of life’s storms will capsize us.
than a series of cute quips that can be repeated over and over until our mental
spirits are lifted. We have faith in a person, not in our ability. We aren’t on
a deserted island with some Tarzan-dude trying to survive. Instead, we are
individually dealing with reality right where we live. And except the Lord is
in our boat the winds and waves of life’s storms will capsize us.
But having said
that, we Christians do not focus on the storms of this life. Instead, we make
certain that Christ is in “our boat,” and we focus on him. We trust
that he will speak peace to the storm and to us while we continue in the storm.
Although we fervently believe that he will calm our storm, our faith is not
that the storm will cease, but that Christ will calm us in the midst of our
storms. He will see us safely through the storm to the other side.
that, we Christians do not focus on the storms of this life. Instead, we make
certain that Christ is in “our boat,” and we focus on him. We trust
that he will speak peace to the storm and to us while we continue in the storm.
Although we fervently believe that he will calm our storm, our faith is not
that the storm will cease, but that Christ will calm us in the midst of our
storms. He will see us safely through the storm to the other side.
Dear Father, thank
you for the storms of reality that test our faith in you. Thank you for walking
with us through our storms. Thank you for calming our storms and bringing peace
to us. Fortify our faith with confidence in Christ and his peace. I pray this
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the storms of reality that test our faith in you. Thank you for walking
with us through our storms. Thank you for calming our storms and bringing peace
to us. Fortify our faith with confidence in Christ and his peace. I pray this
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Today trust Christ
for peace and calm,
for peace and calm,