When You’re Rocked by the Storm…
I live in the state of Oklahoma … where the wind comes sweeping down the plains.
In Oklahoma… the spring is a stormy season. We have windstorms … hailstorms … thunderstorms … and tornados.
Storms are a certainty if you live in Oklahoma. The truth is … storms are a certainty if you live on planet earth!
Storms.
Nobody likes them … no one would choose them … and yet still storms happen, don’t they?
Storms can be ferocious and lengthy … or they can be short and sweet.
I can appreciate the predicted storm … the storm that I know is coming and for which I can make the necessary preparations in order to ensure my safety.
There are, however, other storms that defy the forecast and come with no regard for preparation or for safety. The storm that takes an innocent person by surprise is neither appreciated nor is it welcome.
Roofs are blown off houses … foundations at times shift … tree branches come crashing violently down in the most unwelcome places … and even leaves are all in a twitter.
Rarely does a storm blow through a region without some type of damage being done. Storms are often powerful and always make their presence known whether it is by rain, snow, wind, sleet, or hail.
The truth is … call me crazy … but I love a good storm from time to time.
I love the preparation and the excited anticipation of what type of storm might be coming my way. I love the hours or days when I am snug in my own home watching the tempest rage while I remain safe from the elements. I do pity the person who is forced to be out in the storm and am always so thankful for my lot in life.
I don’t know what kind of storm you are in today … but I do know that storms happen to everyone.
One of my favorite storms happened in the Bible to a boatload of men who were just trying to obey their Master.
Let me set the scene for you …
Jesus had just multiplied 5 little pieces of bread and 2 sardines in order to feed 5,000 ravenous men plus their wives and children.
What a miracle that was!
After these disciples saw that fantastic occurrence with their very own eyes, Jesus told them to get into the boat and to travel across to the other side.
“But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves for the wind was contrary.” – Matthew 14:24
A contrary wind that blows into an unsuspecting life has the frightening potential to accomplish some major “battering”, doesn’t it?
What contrary gust of circumstance has battered your life?
Is it finances or health issues? Perhaps your battering has been caused by a relationship that is stormy … or by a great disappointment that has drenched your hope.
“And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.” – Matthew 14:25 & 26
Do you know what I find interesting to me about this particular storm?
The disciples were in this storm by divine instruction. Jesus had sent them out in the little wooden boat knowing that they were in the direct path of a monstrous monsoon.
Do you know what I find comforting about this particular storm?
The disciples were not alone! Jesus was coming to them across the raging and wind-tossed waters.
Let’s read a portion of this same story from the Gospel of Mark … told with a bit of a different twist …
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.” – Mark 6:45 – 48
This terrified band of brothers was about 3.5 miles from the land in their little storm-tossed boat. They were unable to see the hand in front of their pale faces in the middle of the night and in the midst of a colossal storm.
However, my friend, take heart! When you can’t see Him … He can still see you!
He knows exactly where you are and precisely how strong that wind is blowing across the waters of your life. The natural eye is unable to see 3.5 miles in the inky black of darkness … but God is able to see exactly where you are and the stormy circumstances of your life!
My inability to see Him does not stop His ability to see me! In the middle of my crisis, He knows exactly where I am and how to get to me!
Jesus saw that the disciples were “straining at the oars”. These men, despite difficult conditions and in spite of being drenched by salty water, were working hard and continuing to do whatever it took to get out of this storm.
My friend, if you are in a storm today, keep doing the next right thing!
Keep tithing … keep loving … keep working … keep hoping! Jesus sees you and He is on His way to comfort you!
Do not become discouraged due to the horrible conditions that are raging around you but just keep on rowing. God sees what you are doing, and He is on His way.
Never allow the presence of a storm to cause you to doubt the presence of your God!
Let’s ask the question, now, that all of us are wondering … “Why would Jesus knowingly send those that He loved so dearly into the path of a massive storm system?”
Why, indeed?!
Perhaps He did it to reveal Himself to them in a new and comforting way.
Perhaps He did it to show off His glory!
Perhaps He did it to perform a miracle!
Perhaps He intended to use the storm as the vehicle itself from which He would intervene in the lives of His dear children.
“Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves but their heart was hardened.” – Mark 6:51 & 52
Don’t miss this detail that we learn from the writings of Mark … the disciples had forgotten the last miracle that Jesus had done for them!
The storm caused amnesia of the very worst kind … they had forgotten His power!
They had neglected to remember that the Lord on the shore is also the Lord of the storms.
The next time that you are in a storm … rather than taking your pulse … how about remembering the miracles that Jesus has done in the past for you?!
I can’t remember what God has done for you … but I can guarantee you that you have tasted of the goodness of the Lord in your life.
Remember the taste of the loaves and fishes the next time that you encounter a storm!
When your life is being threatened by a tempest of stormy circumstances … remember your last answered prayer … and praise Him for victory even when the wind is blowing, and the waves are crashing!
Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart, but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is.