Sometimes life throws us difficulties and curve balls. Sometimes, they are life changing and agonizing events. These are the big storms. Other times, the waves of the sea just seem to roll in with the tide, each one bringing discomfort, fear, alarm, things that make us feel anger, frustration, rejection, sadness, sickness, mild agitations, disruptions. These are the little storms.
I believe how we react to these storms of life is of great importance. I sometimes struggle to keep my attitude in check and to guard my heart from becoming hardened. When we have done all we can do, it is good to remember we have our heavenly Father to call upon. He will not leave us nor forsake us when we cry out to Him.
This past month I've had an array of things to deal with. It's been a particularly busy season in our lives. There have been numerous agitations, disruptions, and a variety of challenges coming at us... even among many great and wonderful events. As I cried out in prayer to the Lord one evening with the Word spread out before me, the Lord brought me to Mark 4 (and a similar passage in Matthew 8).
I have to admit I began to read it reluctantly. I was exasperated. I wanted God to just fix things for me, and for the most part, it seemed like what He had done was take me through it. I was nonetheless, glad of that. Yet, my heart was heavy and felt beaten down.
But-- and I know, we aren't supposed to start sentences with conjunctions... but as I read the Word, my attitude and my heart began to change. I felt my gratitude soar and my attitude change. I felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted from me. My Savior was speaking to the storm on my behalf as I read this passage. I knew that a great calm was soon to follow. How thrilling my time with the Lord had become during the reading of a passage I've heard many times over in church sermons. It proves to me that my time with Him is never wasted--:
34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind,and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
This was a time of great activity for Jesus. It was not business as usual. It was so busy that Jesus and the disciples had been swarmed by many people. He had preached the sermon on the Mount, done a great deal of teaching, and had performed other miracles. Now he was in a ship with his disciples, surrounded by more ships following after Him.
Jesus knew they needed rest and wanted to teach them things that would make them grow in their faith and abilities as His disciples. He knew they had just come through a very busy season and they were about to go into another busy season. Here, I found many parallels to my own situation. I've come out of a very busy season and like many of you, am about to go into the holidays, another busy season.
As I reflect on the words in these passages and how they affected me and changed my situation, I am reminded how important it is that we don't let life crowd out our daily time with Jesus. Also, I was greatly encouraged as He drew my attention to the fact that even the disciples faced storms when they walked this earth with the Jesus during the days of the early New Testament church. Whenever we step out to do anything in faith, there are going to be storms. We are going to need to rely on the Lord expound on things we need to know and to get us through these seasons, calm the storms, and rebuke the winds on our behalf.
In closing, this is my prayer for each of us, myself included--:
Thank you Lord for increasing our faith, helping each of us weather the storm, teaching us through it all, and rebuking the weather until there is a great calm in our lives. Thank you for continuing to draw us to Your Word and for sustaining us. Help us to refresh with You each day so we may be a blessing to those around us and so that we may each live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen.
