Calm the Storm
In Mark 4, Jesus and the disciples were traveling by boat after a long day of teaching. Jesus was sleeping when a storm started with wind that blew so hard it started throwing water onto the boat. The disciples were frantic and ran to wake Jesus up, accusing Him of not caring that they were perishing (even if it was only in their minds). Jesus got up and said “Peace! Be still.” to the storm. And the storm immediately stopped. Then he rebuked the disciples for not recognizing that, even in the storm, He was with them. They had no reason to fear! They could have had peace all along, but instead chose to give in to their fear and the circumstances around them.
This year has brought with it challenges I am sure none of us ever dreamed would exist in our lifetimes, yet here we are. At times, all of the restrictions, new requirements, and uncertainty have left me wishing I could just run away from it all and go live on a different planet! I prayed that God would step in and just make it all go away…make it “be still.” But, He hasn’t...at least not in the way I would have wanted Him to. Instead, in His sovereignty and as only He can, He showed me that I could run away from the world by running to Him. By spending more time in His word. By spending more time at His feet in prayer. By spending more time listening to and singing songs that glorify Him. He reminded me that sometimes the storm He calms is the one inside of my heart, mind, and soul, and not that of the physical world. I have no reason to fear because He is always with me.
Remember He is in control and He still holds the power to say “Peace! Be still.” to calm any storm.
If I’m completely honest, I’ve been like Jonah fleeing in the opposite direction of Nineveh far more times in my life than I’d care to admit; sensing God’s direction, but instead choosing to follow my own tightly held plans.