God Calms Your Storms
God Calms Your Storms
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. – Mark 4:39
The disciples had been up early with Jesus. It was going to be another long day. The crowds had been gathering steadily through the night – each one trying to get a glimpse or to hear the Man who can heal – the Man who speaks with authority – the Man who could help them – give them hope.
The crowds pressed in – Jesus had His disciples bring a boat and He taught from the water’s edge – the multitude lining the seashore. He taught them many things- always in parables. Some of the crowd pushed out in their boats to hear Him – get close to Him - perhaps even to touch Him.
I would imagine that there isn’t a principal alive that can’t empathize with Jesus – especially during May. It seems as if the press of the crowd is overwhelming – District wants NLSA reports, teachers want order forms, PTL wants to change Fundraisers for next year, Pastors want Confirmation classes that actually know the Catechism, parents want next year’s school calendar, Principal conferences want dues paid, treasurers want projections for the budget, board members want policies that will stand the test of time, students want to pass, and secretaries want to know which of the urgent phone calls you are actually going to return. Principals run to the farthest classroom to “do observations” – to get in a boat, as it were, in a vain effort to preserve personal space, only to be followed, called, or face a pile of “While You Were Out” memos stacked neatly on the office chair.
The day grew dark as the sun set. The crowd made preparations for the evening – meals were made, sleeping arrangements taken care of – for He would be there tomorrow to continue His teaching.
But no – the crowd would be disappointed – for He told His disciples – “Let us go over to the other side.” The crowd pushed to the seashore to catch a final glance – where was He going? Those in the boats stayed along side – they would follow wherever He would lead. Jesus lay down on a cushion – exhausted – His earthly body needed rest. The gentle waves soon rocked the Master asleep.
Yes, the weary principal finally gets an opportunity to climb into the car and head for home – making sure all the doors are locked, alarm is set, lights off – and the bathrooms are in order – to be reintroduced to family members who vaguely remember that there used to be another person at the dinner table. After answering a few voice messages or listening to another parent who, “hates to trouble you at home, but…,” the principal finds the pillow – soon to be asleep.
Ah – but the skies darkened – the wind picked up – the storm overtook the small boats. The following boats abandoned the chase and headed back to the safety of the shore. The disciples struggled to keep on course – they could see the other side of the Lake. The experienced fishermen in the boat took over – guiding the boat over the waves – heading into the wind at the angle needed to prevent harm – all the while the storm grew in intensity. The waves started to breach the side of the boat – water sloshed across their feet – some started to bail – the waves crashed over and over – each wave adding to the depth of the water on the bottom of the boat – more hands bailed – the boat sinking lower into the water – each wave adding to the peril.
Yes, the storm soon starts. Memories of the day flash brilliant across the mind – words spoken in haste, anger repressed, memories of confrontations churn in the mind – causing the body to thrash about. Soon the mind turns to the next day – uncrossed off “to do” items accusingly leap out – causing the stomach to churn in anxiety. End of year reports, overspent and under-funded budget line items, textbook salesman and vacation requests cause panic, fear, and elevated blood pressure.
The water kept crashing over the side of the boat – soon they would drown! This is not what they wanted. Someone spied Jesus sleeping – if only He would wake up! He could help bail!
They called out, “Wake up! Help us!”
“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
Soon the storm-tossed, anxious principal sits up, cries out, “Lord, wake up! Lord Help me! Don’t You care in I fail?”
I can see it in my mind’s eye – Jesus awakes – the disciples are yelling – shouting – each one over the other – the wind is howling the waves crashing over the side of the boat – the disciples are hanging on – trying to bail and Jesus sits up. I see Him standing – calmly stretching out His arm and saying “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind stopped – the clouds parted – the moon shone on the sea. The waves calmed and soon the gentle rocking of the boat was soothing – the disciples stood – amazed – their hearts racing – the tension in their muscles fading. They looked at each other is amazement.
Jesus looks them in the eye and asks, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Why are you so afraid?
Soon the principal experiences a calming effect – soothing – a still, small voice whispers, “Be still, Know that I am God.” “I have not abandoned you – I died for you – I rose for you – I live for you – I am with you now – Rest, be renewed, be refreshed, I am here with you now, I will be with you tomorrow – I will guide your fingers over the computer keyboard, I will give you words for those who attack, I will use your hands to comfort my hurting people, I will strengthen. Rest – believe – trust.”
Some nights it is harder than others to “let go and let God.” Yes, I fear!
The waves of doubt – the waves of fear come crashing over my mind.
I fear that I will not be able to provide for my family – that we will end up penniless – no food – no house – no air conditioning.
I fear that I will not be able to do my job – that someone or something will take it away from me. Again – I will not be able to provide for my family – no food – no house – no air conditioning.
I fear that I will embarrass myself – that I will stand out and look bad – I will make a mistake and everyone will laugh at me – I will not be able to get a job – no food – no house – no air conditioning!
I fear pain! I fear death! I fear that I will have so much pain that I will curse God and die.
I fear hell!
Jesus asked His disciples – “Why are you so afraid?” Do you still have no faith?”
Ah – perhaps that is the key – can I trust God? I relate to the disciples – they faced the storm – they sailed their boat – they bailed the waters – they did everything but call on Jesus to help. When they did call on Jesus to help – He helped in an unexpected way – they were looking for hands to bail – He gave them calm seas.
I could wonder – why? Why were the disciples so amazed that Jesus calmed the storm? Why can’t I trust that Jesus will take care of my fears? Is it so hard to believe that God will send rain when the crops need it? Is it so hard to believe that God will send money when it is needed? Is it so hard to believe that God will take cancer from out of the body? Is it so hard to believe that God will send words, strength, courage, decisions?
Perhaps it is because I want to solve my problems myself – perhaps it is because I can’t see a way out of my problems – my difficulties. Perhaps it is like Job who lashed against God and whined about his plight with the “Why?”
God puts him in his place – “Where were you when I created the world? I set the limits of the sea – I made the world”
God puts me in my place – do I believe the He created the heavens and the earth? Absolutely!
The disciples witnessed many miracles – but it wasn’t until the storm that they experienced firsthand the calm – their own miracle. Once they experienced the awesome power of God – they could point to Him – send others to Him – deny themselves and point to Jesus. They would die for Him – for they knew without a doubt that they would live with Him.
I, too, have experienced firsthand His calming power. I point to Jesus – I can send others to Him – I will die for Him – for I know that I will live with Him!
Am I afraid? – yes, at times. Do I need to fear? – Never!
May you experience His calm in your life!
Amen
Now may the God who created the universe, His Son who calmed the storm and the Holy Spirit who gives us faith keep your hearts and minds – now and forever – amen.
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. – Mark 4:39
The disciples had been up early with Jesus. It was going to be another long day. The crowds had been gathering steadily through the night – each one trying to get a glimpse or to hear the Man who can heal – the Man who speaks with authority – the Man who could help them – give them hope.
The crowds pressed in – Jesus had His disciples bring a boat and He taught from the water’s edge – the multitude lining the seashore. He taught them many things- always in parables. Some of the crowd pushed out in their boats to hear Him – get close to Him - perhaps even to touch Him.
I would imagine that there isn’t a principal alive that can’t empathize with Jesus – especially during May. It seems as if the press of the crowd is overwhelming – District wants NLSA reports, teachers want order forms, PTL wants to change Fundraisers for next year, Pastors want Confirmation classes that actually know the Catechism, parents want next year’s school calendar, Principal conferences want dues paid, treasurers want projections for the budget, board members want policies that will stand the test of time, students want to pass, and secretaries want to know which of the urgent phone calls you are actually going to return. Principals run to the farthest classroom to “do observations” – to get in a boat, as it were, in a vain effort to preserve personal space, only to be followed, called, or face a pile of “While You Were Out” memos stacked neatly on the office chair.
The day grew dark as the sun set. The crowd made preparations for the evening – meals were made, sleeping arrangements taken care of – for He would be there tomorrow to continue His teaching.
But no – the crowd would be disappointed – for He told His disciples – “Let us go over to the other side.” The crowd pushed to the seashore to catch a final glance – where was He going? Those in the boats stayed along side – they would follow wherever He would lead. Jesus lay down on a cushion – exhausted – His earthly body needed rest. The gentle waves soon rocked the Master asleep.
Yes, the weary principal finally gets an opportunity to climb into the car and head for home – making sure all the doors are locked, alarm is set, lights off – and the bathrooms are in order – to be reintroduced to family members who vaguely remember that there used to be another person at the dinner table. After answering a few voice messages or listening to another parent who, “hates to trouble you at home, but…,” the principal finds the pillow – soon to be asleep.
Ah – but the skies darkened – the wind picked up – the storm overtook the small boats. The following boats abandoned the chase and headed back to the safety of the shore. The disciples struggled to keep on course – they could see the other side of the Lake. The experienced fishermen in the boat took over – guiding the boat over the waves – heading into the wind at the angle needed to prevent harm – all the while the storm grew in intensity. The waves started to breach the side of the boat – water sloshed across their feet – some started to bail – the waves crashed over and over – each wave adding to the depth of the water on the bottom of the boat – more hands bailed – the boat sinking lower into the water – each wave adding to the peril.
Yes, the storm soon starts. Memories of the day flash brilliant across the mind – words spoken in haste, anger repressed, memories of confrontations churn in the mind – causing the body to thrash about. Soon the mind turns to the next day – uncrossed off “to do” items accusingly leap out – causing the stomach to churn in anxiety. End of year reports, overspent and under-funded budget line items, textbook salesman and vacation requests cause panic, fear, and elevated blood pressure.
The water kept crashing over the side of the boat – soon they would drown! This is not what they wanted. Someone spied Jesus sleeping – if only He would wake up! He could help bail!
They called out, “Wake up! Help us!”
“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
Soon the storm-tossed, anxious principal sits up, cries out, “Lord, wake up! Lord Help me! Don’t You care in I fail?”
I can see it in my mind’s eye – Jesus awakes – the disciples are yelling – shouting – each one over the other – the wind is howling the waves crashing over the side of the boat – the disciples are hanging on – trying to bail and Jesus sits up. I see Him standing – calmly stretching out His arm and saying “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind stopped – the clouds parted – the moon shone on the sea. The waves calmed and soon the gentle rocking of the boat was soothing – the disciples stood – amazed – their hearts racing – the tension in their muscles fading. They looked at each other is amazement.
Jesus looks them in the eye and asks, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Why are you so afraid?
Soon the principal experiences a calming effect – soothing – a still, small voice whispers, “Be still, Know that I am God.” “I have not abandoned you – I died for you – I rose for you – I live for you – I am with you now – Rest, be renewed, be refreshed, I am here with you now, I will be with you tomorrow – I will guide your fingers over the computer keyboard, I will give you words for those who attack, I will use your hands to comfort my hurting people, I will strengthen. Rest – believe – trust.”
Some nights it is harder than others to “let go and let God.” Yes, I fear!
The waves of doubt – the waves of fear come crashing over my mind.
I fear that I will not be able to provide for my family – that we will end up penniless – no food – no house – no air conditioning.
I fear that I will not be able to do my job – that someone or something will take it away from me. Again – I will not be able to provide for my family – no food – no house – no air conditioning.
I fear that I will embarrass myself – that I will stand out and look bad – I will make a mistake and everyone will laugh at me – I will not be able to get a job – no food – no house – no air conditioning!
I fear pain! I fear death! I fear that I will have so much pain that I will curse God and die.
I fear hell!
Jesus asked His disciples – “Why are you so afraid?” Do you still have no faith?”
Ah – perhaps that is the key – can I trust God? I relate to the disciples – they faced the storm – they sailed their boat – they bailed the waters – they did everything but call on Jesus to help. When they did call on Jesus to help – He helped in an unexpected way – they were looking for hands to bail – He gave them calm seas.
I could wonder – why? Why were the disciples so amazed that Jesus calmed the storm? Why can’t I trust that Jesus will take care of my fears? Is it so hard to believe that God will send rain when the crops need it? Is it so hard to believe that God will send money when it is needed? Is it so hard to believe that God will take cancer from out of the body? Is it so hard to believe that God will send words, strength, courage, decisions?
Perhaps it is because I want to solve my problems myself – perhaps it is because I can’t see a way out of my problems – my difficulties. Perhaps it is like Job who lashed against God and whined about his plight with the “Why?”
God puts him in his place – “Where were you when I created the world? I set the limits of the sea – I made the world”
God puts me in my place – do I believe the He created the heavens and the earth? Absolutely!
The disciples witnessed many miracles – but it wasn’t until the storm that they experienced firsthand the calm – their own miracle. Once they experienced the awesome power of God – they could point to Him – send others to Him – deny themselves and point to Jesus. They would die for Him – for they knew without a doubt that they would live with Him.
I, too, have experienced firsthand His calming power. I point to Jesus – I can send others to Him – I will die for Him – for I know that I will live with Him!
Am I afraid? – yes, at times. Do I need to fear? – Never!
May you experience His calm in your life!
Amen
Now may the God who created the universe, His Son who calmed the storm and the Holy Spirit who gives us faith keep your hearts and minds – now and forever – amen.
