6-22-2022
Storms are a part of life. Sometimes we get into storms and, if we’re honest with ourselves, we can figure out why. But other times, we find ourselves in a storm even when we’ve been doing all the right things. We wonder, “Lord, where are you? What did I do to deserve this? Why am I in this storm?” In Mark’s Gospel we read this:
“That day, when evening came, [Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?'” (Mark 4:35-38, NIV)
Are you ready for this? The disciples were in the storm because of their obedience. Don’t let yourself believe that storms only come because we’ve done something wrong. Sometimes it’s because we’ve been obedient. And never forget this:
Jesus doesn’t promise to keep me out of storms, but He does promise to get me through them.
Mark goes on: “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!'” (Mark 4:39-41, NIV)
Even though it may be hard to see at first, God is there with you, and there is a purpose to the storm. We find this purpose by asking the right question and avoiding the wrong one. When we find ourselves in a storm, ask God “why,” not “what.” Ask, “What do you want me to learn?”, because there’s a lesson in every storm.
I love you, church!
Chuck