Storms
When storm season comes around, I pay close attention to the predictions of the meteorologists. With the help of radar and multiple other tools, the weather professionals can predict with decent accuracy the path of a storm that is headed in my direction. Here in the southeast US where I live, we have hurricanes and tropical storms that bring lots of rain and thunderstorms with them. These storms can often be destructive and deadly, that’s why I pay attention to them.
Jesus and His followers faced a significant storm event, but it became insignificant when Jesus addressed the storm. Check this out….
35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” (Mark 4:35-41 NLT)
There are many other storms that come through our lives. Many feel worse than any weather storm that we might face. There are storms of divorce, death, lies, deceit, loss of job – the list can be long. Some storms we can see a long way off and others are an unwelcome surprise. I have faced many storms in my life, including some that I just listed. I see storms differently since I’ve been through many of them with Jesus leading me through. His Presence is a game-changer in a storm. He can rebuke any storm. He can give me shelter in any storm. He gives me counsel in the storm. I have walked with other people through their storms, but I never go to them without Him.
I do storm preparation nearly every day. I read and study the Word of God to understand more of His heart. I want to know Him more. I also start my day with gratitude to the Lord for my family, His blessing and favor upon me. I believe prayer (communication with God) is critical to my relationship with Him as well as me crying out for help in the middle of a storm. When I’m hit with a life-storm, I’m somewhat prepared ahead of time. I can speak from experience that I’m never fully prepared for the sheer power of the storm. I desperately need the Lord before, during and after every storm.
Pressing On!
Dwayne