Don't Rock The Boat

Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”
Matthew 8:24-27 

A number of years ago, a friend of mine told me that he and his brother had gone fishing.  They were having a good day and they found their way into a cove where there were some trees that were over the water.  Not thinking of anything other than some shade, they paddled to a spot in the shade to fish.  Just as my friend caught a fish, they heard a thunk in the boat between them. They both turned to find that a Cottonmouth Moccasin had dropped in to investigate their activities.  Needless to say, they rocked the boat as they made their escape.  However, in their rush to exit the boat, the boat swamped and sank leaving the snake to swim away unperturbed.

The Disciples had a vaguely similar situation.  Jesus and the Disciples were in a boat when a storm came up and threatened to swamp their boat, and since not too many sailors of that time could swim, there were looking at the very real possibility of drowning.  They worried and panicked, and they found Jesus asleep!  Now this was not a nice cabin cruiser with navigational equipment and comfy cabins.  This was a fishing boat which was more like an extra large john boat.  I can tell you from experience, a john boat is NOT a comfy place to sleep.  But Jesus found it comfortable enough to take a nap during a storm.

The Disciples woke Jesus up, incredulous that He could POSSIBLY be sleeping at a time like this, and asked Jesus if He even cared that they would drown.  We do that too, don't we?  We panick and stress over things that are out of our control and then we complain to God asking if He doesn't realize how much our situation could harm us.  I am guilty of that!  

What was Jesus' response?  Somehow I can see Jesus giving the Disciples one of those eyerolls and saying, 'Why are you so bothered by this?'  Then Jesus tells the storm to go away...and it disappears, much to the amazement of the Disciples.  Let me ask you the same thing Jesus has asked me: "Why are you so bothered, stressed and panicked about this?  Don't you understand that I am in control?  Don't you know that there is nothing that will happen to you that surprises Me?"  I can't speak for you, but my faith still needs to grow! 

What Can Happen?

The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?

Psalm 118:6 

Ever wonder why God allows some storms to come crashing through our lives?  Let's look at how God has so set up nature: lightning strikes the dry grass of the Great Plains starting fires....the fires clear the plain of the dead grass so the new grass can grow and the buffalo has fresh food to eat.  Lightning strikes a forest and the forest catches fire burning the dead trees and undergrowth making room for new growth.  

You can't expect to grow if you have lots of clutter in the way!  God sometimes allows storms to get rid of some of the clutter so we can grow.  

Now what has that got to do with other people?  Simply this, God sometimes uses people as the conduit for our clutter removal.  He uses people to sharpen us.  He uses people to be an example for us.  He uses people so we can set the example (and be very conscious of the example we set).  He uses people to remind us that we aren't perfect, holier than anyone else, or better than anyone else.

Now consider this:  God also uses us in the same ways in the lives of others.  So why fear what mere man can do when God is the one in control? 

When It Rains...

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 34:18 

 

In the movie "Forrest Gump," there is a scene where Forrest is waist deep in water and monsoon season starts.  Forrest said, "One day it started raining, and it didn't stop for FOUR MONTHS!"  He and his platoon members walked in the rain, sat in the rain, slept in the rain, ate in the rain and the rain just kept on coming.

 

Ever have one of those seasons of life where it feels like the rain just won't stop?  You feel like Job when the messenger came to deliver bad news and before he could finish speaking, here came the next messenger with bad news and before he could finish speaking, ANOTHER messenger came with bad news.  It feels as though the bottom has dropped out of your world and you are helpless.

 

Let me give you a couple of Ponder Points:

•  Storms are going to come in life.  If we didn't have storms, we wouldn't appreciate the sunshine as much.
• Just because we can't see the sun during the storm doesn't mean the sun isn't there.  Look above the clouds and you will see the sunshine!
• When the rains come, we have a choice to make: cower and cry OR let the rain cleanse us.  God sometimes brings the rains to clear away the dust that has clouded our sight for so long.
• Sometimes God allows storms for the sole purpose of reminding us that HE is the one who is in control and that we need to look to Him!  He never leaves us, but sometimes we forget to remember that.  
• Talk with God through the storms! Remembering that all His Son had to do was tell the storm to quiet down, and it obeyed.
  

Acknowledge!

Trust the Lord with all your heart,
    and don’t depend on your own understanding.

Remember the Lord in all you do,
    and he will give you success.

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Worrying....we're good at that.  We look at the news, see all the chaos and mayhem and start to worry.  We wonder why such things could happen.  We fear that it will come to us.  We worry, fear, worry, fear, and then we hide.  We offer weak prayers to God of "please bless this country" while we do nothing else!

Look at God's Words: "TRUST in the Lord (not in sports, not in weapons, not in weak prayers) with ALL your heart and do NOT depend on YOUR own understanding."  That's pretty slap in the face plain, isn't it.  It's hard to Trust God when it seems we are surrounded by the storms.  But wasn't it in the midst of the storm that God the Son said "BE QUIET!" and the storm obeyed?  Trust God!  

Are you still breathing? Trust God and thank Him!

Are you still working? Trust God and thank Him!

Are you still able to get around? Trust God and thank Him!

God tells us to "Be Still And KNOW that I am God!"  But the problem we have with that is the "Be Still" part.  I can sit still, but I have a very hard time BEING still.  Being still requires that I stop thinking about work; stop daydreaming about a vacation; stop worrying about the absence of funds in my account; stop letting my mind wander and TRUST GOD!

We see people taking a stand for Christ every day!  We see sports athletes acknowledging their accomplishments and achievements as being gifts of God.  So why can't we?

Here's my perspective, take it for what it's worth: My job is to Trust God in everything. It's God's job to make sure I complete His reason for my being here.  And when my time comes to leave here, it will be because God has called me home.  And guess what I will be doing then? Praising God for getting me home!

Our prayers should never be weak!  Pray BOLDLY!  Why? Because the God we serve is not weak!  The God we serve is ALL powerful!  Don't try to limit Him!  Pray that God will work His limitless plan through you!  And you will see amazing things!  TRUST in the Lord with ALL your heart, and don't rely on your own understanding!  We may not understand why God does what He does, but our job is not to understand all they why and wherefores.  Our job is to TRUST Him!  Let HIM do His work through us!

Look Up!

Look up into the heavens.
    Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
    calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
    not a single one is missing.
O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
    O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

~Isaiah 40:26-31 

 

As a child, I remember laying on my back in the driveway looking at the stars.  Looking up at the vastness above me, I felt more than a little insignificant.  I remember thinking that with all God has to keep up with, how could He possibly have any idea what I struggled with or that I even exist.  I mean, let's face it, ALL those stars and planets moving in perfect synchronicity?  It made my head hurt just trying to imagine it, so I had NO idea how God could do it.  

 

Later in life, when I was in the Army, our Chaplain came to perform our service.  It was a Sunday night and the stars were already out.  He chose today's passage.  He told us (but it sounded like he was talking directly to me) that God is the God of ALL creation.  He reminded us that God calls each star by name, but more than that, God has called each of US by name! AND has carved OUR names into His right hand.  AND sent His Son to die for US.  And because of all of that, not only are we important to God as His children, but God infuses us and fills us with what we need for the situation we are in.  I felt foolish for asking, partly because I didn't want to feel stupid, but mainly because I didn't want anyone else to think I was a complete imbecile, but I asked the Chaplain how was this possible?  If God gives us what we need for the situation we are in, why do I get angry and upset, why do I feel frustrated and helpless, why am I resentful?  

 

You see, I wasn't the intellectual behemoth I am today (and there are those who are laughing because they know me).  That Chaplain told me something I hope never to forget. He said, "Keep the conversation going.  You know the people who love you because you talk to them and listen to them.  You deal with them differently than those you don't know very well.  When we keep the conversation with God ongoing, we learn to hear His voice.  We learn to listen to His guidance.  We learn just how much He loves us!  If we aren't talking with God, we how can we know anything about Him?  We think God is some old bearded guy who sits around in the clouds ready to smite us, but that isn't true. The more we talk with God, the more we understand that we can rely on Him for EVERYTHING!"

 

Chaplain Eargle was absolutely right.  It was that very night that I began to seriously have a conversation with God.  Yes, it was awkward at first.  Yes, it was a lot of me doing the talking.  No, I didn't see a cloud of smoke before me and a thunderous voice come from within it.  I slowly began to learn to "pray without ceasing." And guess what?  I have learned that God has already put the answer in place for whatever situation I find myself before He ever spoke the Universe into creation.  I am still learning to listen to Him (I am more than a little stubborn).  I still fail miserably, but God has already dealt with that before the Universe was spoken into creation as well.  Nothing surprises Him.  Nothing startles Him.  And best of all, there is NOTHING that can defeat Him!

 

When God gives us a mission, He has already planned every detail and every contingency and through us His mission will not fail! EVER!

When Evil Seems To Win!

Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed!
Do not envy evildoers!

For they will quickly dry up like grass,
and wither away like plants.

Trust in the Lord and do what is right!
Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!

~Psalm 37:1-3

 

"What do we do when evil seems to win?"  This is a question I hear over and over.  It is usually followed by, "What's the point of doing the right thing when it doesn't seem to do any good?"  These are good questions.  Tough questions, but good ones nonetheless.

 

What should we do when it seems evil prevails?  Should we do nothing? Should we get angry and start a fight?  Should we bury our heads in the church and pray for the best?  Well....NO actually.  

 

Then what does God tell us to do?  

•  Do not fret!  Now understand the word translated FRET is the Aramaic word Charah which means: to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled.  God is telling us not to let it burn us up.
• Trust in the Lord! That seems fairly straight forward on paper. The word translated TRUST is the Aramaic word BATACH which means: to have bold confidence.  So we are to have BOLD CONFIDENCE in God!  Remember, God is the God of all creation and is far more powerful than anything we will face.  Also remember that even Satan himself had to present himself before God in Job.  Satan may seem as if he is winning, but he has already lost!
• Do what is right! This means exactly that, do what is RIGHT not what is easiest or most expedient.  Do what is right even when you think no one notices because, believe it or not, your actions are noticed by God and by others.
• Maintain Your Integrity!  My Grampa once told me that Integrity is like a candle in the dark.  The candle shines and isn't concerned who sees because the candle is doing the right thing by sharing light!  That is integrity!

 

Keep calm, trust God, do what is right, and keep your integrity intact.  That is what we are to do all the time and especially when it seems like evil is winning.

Where's Your Peace?

On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.” So after leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat, and other boats were with him. Now a great windstorm developed and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped. But he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” So he got up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Be quiet! Calm down!” Then the wind stopped, and it was dead calm. And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?” They were overwhelmed by fear and said to one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and sea obey him!”

~ Mark 4:35-41

Storms shake things up.  Storms bring change.  Storms are not always welcome.  But storms are a part of life.  

In today's passage, Jesus and the Disciples were boating across to the other side of a lake.  Jesus, who was tired from teaching and healing, fell asleep in the back of the boat.  Then came the wind which stirred up the waves until the boat began taking on water.  And Jesus slept on.  Finally, when the boat was about to swamp, the Disciples decided it was probably time to wake Jesus up and inform Him that the boat was going to sink.  

So instead of waking Jesus and telling Him, "We are sinking!  Help!" the Disciple take a different, rather disrespectful, approach by asking Jesus, "Don't you care that we are about to die?"  Ever notice when stress enters our lives and we feel overwhelmed, courtesy is one of the first things to disappear?

Jesus woke up and told the storm to, as my Grampa told us many times, "Sit Down and Shut Up!" In the Greek, the word means to "silence one's voice" (usually involuntarily with a gag or some other restraint).

  

Think about this:

     * Do you think the Jesus was unaware of the storm?

     * Do you think Jesus panicked as the Disciples did?

     * Why?

Jesus was not surprised or taken off guard by the storm.  He knew the storm was coming.  Jesus had no need to panic because He knew storms are never permanent.  Jesus also had no reason to panic because He is God the Son.  Jesus relied on the fact that the Father will take care of His children even when the children cannot see how.  Jesus faced the storm head-on and reminded the storm who is in charge (and it isn't the storm).

Now, think about this:  God has promised never to leave us and that He will take care of us.  So why do we fear storms?  Because storms are loud, chaotic, destructive, and in your face!  Storms don't surprise our Father, because He knew all about you and everything that would happen in your life before He even spoke the world into being!

And if we claim to trust in Jesus, what would happen if we turned our storms over to Him?  Storm....meet Jesus!  Who do you think would have the last word?