The Storm Before The Calm

I happen to enjoy thunderstorms. The power that is demonstrated in the wind, the flashes of lighting, and the rain remind me of the majesty of God. I realize that not everyone shares my feelings or is so enthralled with thunderstorms. There's the reminder that amidst the power is the potential for damage from lighting strikes which can spark fires or even shut down electricity. Additionally, there's the threat to human life, if someone is caught out in the open and is struck by lightning. Typically after a thunderstorm passes, there is a calm and quietness as the sun emerges along with blue sky. If the storm takes place at night, after its passing, the stars emerge in all their brilliance. In the gospel of Mark, we read about the disciples who were caught in a storm and how Jesus intervened. 

THE POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD

It was evening and Jesus with His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee after Jesus had finished a long day of ministering to the people. We are told that Jesus fell asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat. A furious storm came up and the disciples panicked, fearing they might drown as the boat became nearly swamped. In their distress they cry out to Jesus to save them. Mark tells us, "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." (Mark 4:39 NIV) Jesus challenges them regarding their lack of faith. Mark tells us the disciples were terrified and questioned, "Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!" (Mark 4:41 NIV) I find it interesting that Jesus chooses to speak to the wind and the waves. He could have just raised His hand commanding all to be calm without saying a word. Why speak? The Bible doesn't answer the question, however the spoken word has power and influence as evidenced by the disciple's response. We have all experienced having someone say something to us whether it be kind or unkind and the feelings that those words stir up within us. Just like the disciple's reaction, we also react to what is spoken to us. Jesus' words bring me to a point of reaction and reflection. They remind me of the storm, "Quiet!" (stop the noise and distraction!) before the calm, "Be still!" (let My peace and calm settle your soul.)

HOW WILL WE REACT TO THE STORMS OF LIFE?

 Life presents us with many storms. Some of these storms can be significant enough to leave us in a state of panic and despair just like the disciples. However, when we call upon the Lord, is our faith able to lead us to a place of resting in the peace of knowing God is in control? In the thunderstorms of life, I recognize the potential threat to my emotional well-being but I am also reminded of the power of the One who is sovereign over all of nature. Jesus is the One who brings the calm after the storms. What He asks of us is to have the faith to trust Him. Jesus' question to His disciples is the same question His followers are challenged with today, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40 NIV.) The Bible does not place a percentage on how much faith His followers need to have as a measure of our commitment to God. Jesus Himself told His disciples in Luke 17 after they asked the Lord to increase their faith, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you." (Luke 17:5-6 NIV) Jesus was trying to emphasize that faith in Him no matter how great or small is the foundation upon which we remain rooted and strengthened to persevere as we navigate the storms of life. We often hear and are more familiar with the expression "the calm before the storm." While this statement is true whether we are talking about an actual weather related event or situations and circumstances in our lives, we need to ask the question, what happens after the storm? Will we abandon all hope? or rest in the peace of God, who in Jesus Christ brings restoration, renewal, and ultimately resurrection to all who place their trust in Him. Jesus is our hope and rescue in the storms of life. We can rest in the assurance of knowing that Jesus sees the concerns of our hearts, He cares, and will meet us where we are at, leading us to "calmer waters."

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Sheree

The New "Underground Church"

"On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After He said this, He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." (John 20:19-20)

The corona virus pandemic has certainly changed our world. The ability to move freely from place to place, to come together in large gatherings, and spend time in close proximity to one another has been radically transformed. The disciples world had also been radically altered after Jesus' death. The ability to walk with Him, talk with Him, and eat with Him shifted dramatically after the crucifixion. The rules of the game had changed and the disciples found themselves adopting a new coping strategy. John tells us that the disciples had locked themselves away behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. (John 20:19 NIV) When, in the past, had they ever experienced a situation so dramatic, that it negatively impacted their behavior and the way they did life together? After Jesus' death, the disciples didn't immediately go home to their families, John tells us they were locked behind closed doors together. The text appears to imply there was no family contact out of fear of the consequences. These consequences which could result in potential arrest by the Jews, appeared to be a matter of life or death. 

JESUS IS WITH US.

Our current stay at home advisory is not unlike the feelings the disciples may have experienced. We are "locked away" from our loved ones. We dare not venture out too far or have too much physical contact with others, lest we find ourselves in a life or death situation. As the disciples found themselves with their backs against the wall, they received a wonderful surprise, Jesus came to be with them. Jesus knew what was happening and He came to bring peace, the shalom of God, to their anxious hearts. Jesus could have immediately ascended back to His heavenly Father and left the disciples to figure things out on their own. However, even after undergoing torturous suffering and an agonizing death, Jesus after His resurrection came back to take care of His disciples. After confirming that His presence was real, showing them His hands and side, the reaction of the disciples was one of overwhelming joy because as John states, "they saw the Lord." (John 20:20 NIV) For us, Jesus has ascended back to His heavenly Father but He has not left us on our own. His presence is with us through His Holy Spirit. Jesus speaks the same "peace be with you" as He did to his frightened disciples. When we realize that His presence is always with us, we have in essence "seen" the Lord, not with physical but spiritual eyes. 

JESUS SPEAKS PEACE TO US.

Prior to this pandemic, we as the church are aware that we have brothers and sisters who today find themselves in a similar situation as the disciples. There are places in the world where Christians have the potential to be persecuted and even martyred for publicly sharing the gospel. They need to meet behind closed doors and are often referred to as the "underground church." Yet, they experience the presence of Christ behind those locked doors as they continue to meet, study God's word, and pray together. In our present situation, we in some ways are the new "underground church." We may not be in hiding out of fear of persecution but we are meeting behind closed doors out of concern for ourselves and others related to contracting the corona virus. Nevertheless, like the disciples we are together behind closed doors not physically, yet we remain spiritually connected to one another through the God-given gift of technology. Moreover, Jesus still speaks, "peace be with you" in the midst of our struggles. As a result of knowing our Lord is with us, we like the disciples can experience great joy for we have "seen" the Lord. May the shalom of our Lord encourage and sustain you during this challenging time.
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Sheree