Living

"Suddenly a windstorm struck the lake. Waves started splashing into the boat, and it was about to sink.

Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, 'Teacher, don't you care that we're about to drown?'

Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm.

Jesus asked his disciples, 'Why were you afraid? Don't you have any faith?'

Now they were more afraid than ever and said to each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!'" Mark 4:37-45 CEV

Imagine yourself in the boat with Jesus. You've been working with Him all day and then He says to get in the boat because you need to go to the other side of the lake. So you do. While you are floating to the other side, this huge storm comes out of nowhere and you are tossed around like a rag doll. Your companions are fearful and nervous and whispering among themselves. And what is the main whisper? The main shake of the head in disbelief? Jesus. He's there, asleep at the back of the boat. What to do? Noone wanted to be the one to wake Him up. But finally the fear was too great and you bite the bullet and do it. You tap Him on the shoulder, Jesus opens His eyes, calmly stands up, speaks to the wind and the sea as though they are old friends, and everything gets calm and peaceful again. And you think, "Wow!"

Now, bring that feeling to the present. To your life right now. Here you are--a faithful follower of Jesus. Living hard for Jesus. When all of a sudden, a storm, a trial, a rough patch in the road--comes crashing in. You know that Jesus is there, He has to be right? He said that He would never leave you or forsake you. But you can't feel Him. You are a bundle of nervous. You feel like life or the situation is out of control. Where is Jesus? He has to be here! But if He was, why is everything still so tipsy-turvy? What is He doing? Sleeping? Ignoring me? How could He?!

Finally, as you cry out for the last time--all of a sudden--everything is starting to calm down. Peace is slowly coming back into focus. Your world is starting to level out. You say, "Praise be to you Jesus!"

And Jesus says to you, "Why did you fuss so? Don't you know that I am with you always and forever? During good times and bad. Thick and thin. But there are a couple of life hints that I need to inform you of: Life hint #1--Though I am always with you, times will not always be pleasant. In order for you to learn strength, patience, graciousness, forbearance, wisdom, discernment--I will need to let you go through storms. In order for you to learn true faith and to lean not on your own understanding, I will need to let you go through trials. Life hint #2--It is essential for you to remember this--I am the STRONGEST when you are the weakest. I can REIGN when you are on your knees. I can COMFORT when you are the most vulnerable. I am your God, and you are my child."

Today simply PRAISE Him!

"Our LORD and our God,
you are like the sun
and also like a shield.
You treat us with kindness
and with honor,
never denying any good thing
to those who live right.

LORD God All-Powerful,
you bless everyone
who trusts you." Psalm 84:11-12 CEV