The storms that have ravaged the United States over the past several weeks have brought destruction to homes, schools, and land. The barrage of wind, rain, and hail reminds me of times in my life when the storms continue to come, bringing frustration, distraction, and damage to my life. I feel the winds blowing and know the day may be difficult. In some of those occasions I find myself trying to mitigate the possible damage through my own actions. In other times, I find myself praying in preparation for the impending storm and know God is faithful to be with me.
In Mark 4:35-39 we read, “On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!”And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm’” (ESV).
Amid the storms of life, we tend to fall back on our trust in ourselves to find peace during the storm. We work harder, plan better, and try to fix whatever is causing the storm. We take it upon ourselves to fight for peace in our hearts, only to discover the one who can call out to the storms and bring peace is our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. When he awoke from his slumber in the boat, He did not scurry around the boat trying to fix the problem; Jesus spoke peace and the winds, and the waves obeyed.
This month we will be focusing on peace in our weekly Riggings email. Where are the storms in your life where you do not have peace? Are you trying to make peace in your own power and need to turn it over to Jesus? Do you believe Jesus has the power to bring about peace during your storms?
Prayer: Lord, there seems to be days when there is a lot of lightening and wind in my life. The storms of life blow and create unrest in me. Remind me to turn to you in the middle of those storms, knowing you are faithful to bring peace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.