Stormy Days

Have you ever been stuck in middle of the storm while at sea? The wind blows hard from every side seemingly unable to make up its mind on which direction it should be blowing! And that in turn brings the rain down like stones being pelted at you and of course, not to forget the waves that decide to do their jiggle right then.

We don’t have to be at sea in the middle of the storm to experience any of that. Just close your eyes and think of storm, boat and sea; and see what a vivid four-dimensional (4D) imagery your mind can come up with. Let me tell you – that’s enough to send that momentary shiver down your spine.

One of the other reasons our imagination does so exceedingly well is because in life too, we have weathered winds that blow hard, pelting rain and waves that jiggle. Circumstances have often left us feeling like we’re in the middle of that swirling storm, stranded in a boat in the middle of a sloshing sea.

Mark 4, records a literal storm from which we can fish out a couple of lessons to face life’s storms.

Jesus is like the boat beneath us that holds us.  We may feel tossed and thrown but we can rest assured that the boat will never give way.  It will be what protects us and sustains us through the storm.  After all, in His Sovereignty God allowed that storm to rock our boat.

Secondly, Mark also reminds us through his narrative that Jesus has the Authority to calm the storm.

Unquestionably  we all face storms in lives. And God allows us to be in the midst of it for a purpose. In some of these storms He chooses to display His authority. In others, He chooses to reveal His sovereignty through it all. He gives us the grace and strength to weather it, while constantly assuring us that He is working for our good.

Today, irrespective of whether God chooses to display His authority or reveal His sovereignty to you in the midst of your storm, just remember that He will most certainly perfect what concerns you!

Based on Mark 4:35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

³⁵ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ 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?”

³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”