“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11, NIV
“Peace.” Such a simple word. Such a nice word. Such an elusive word. Is it delusional to believe in today’s environment that finding peace is even possible? What is peace anyway; is it the presence of, or the absence of some “thing”? Maybe peace is a place where you go, either physically or mentally and if it is, what does “that place” look like?
When Jesus was out on the lake in a boat with His disciples, He fell asleep. At some point, a storm kicked up and water started to wash into the boat, threatening it to overturn. Frantically, the men tried to wake Jesus, the only one still asleep. Their words to Him were, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” Jesus, “got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.” Jesus asked them, “Where is your faith?” Understandably, the disciples were awestruck that Jesus had authority over the weather! Scripture tells us “In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him’” (Luke 8:22-25, NIV).
There is no question that today we are in the middle of a “storm.” The winds of unrest and uncertainty swirl all around us. Each day it looks like we face a new challenge, or perhaps for many they live with old challenges never having been resolved. Sometimes I feel like we’re all in the same “boat” that is taking on the waters of anger, ignorance, self-promoting, blindness, and unforgiveness. Everyone is so caught up in their own fears and need for self-preservation that we don’t realize that it’s not the storm that should occupy our focus, rather the One who has authority over it. You see, the “storms of this world” are nothing but a distraction our enemy uses to have us take our eyes off of Jesus, who is the only one powerful enough to bring order and calm.
Thoughtfulness, level-headedness, compassion, wisdom, these are some of the emotions that will keep our boat from tipping over. Jesus wants to calm the storm, we just need to ask Him, and then, be willing to accept His help; when and if we do, be prepared to be awestruck, otherwise, start bailing!