Storms
I am not a fan of big thunderstorms with high winds and lightening. I enjoy sitting on the front porch when a nice rain shower comes through. My front porch faces southwest, and that’s where a lot of our storm fronts come from. The summer thunderstorms go about as quickly as they come. Every now and then, a big storm comes through with lots of noise and high winds.
Storms from weather are sometimes really small compared to the “storms of life”. I have been through several storms in my life, and they are often accompanied by suffering and struggle. These are not fun at all. There have been some storms that I thought would be the end of me, but they ended up making more of me. Some storms are more frequent. Some storms are more temporary. I have had a few storms that lasted a long time.
Jesus had just finished a great day of teaching and healing people. He slipped off to be alone in prayer. His disciples, acting on His instructions, get into the boat to go to the other side of the lake. Check this out…
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. (Matthew 14:24-33 NLT)
Jesus was not surprised by the storm even though the disciples were.
Jesus’ presence in the storm, removes it from the equation.
No matter the storm, His Presence changes everything about the situation. I want His presence in me when things are calm and when things are stormy. I learn things from Him when things are calm that help me prepare for the storms ahead.
Pressing On!
Dwayne