By: Joseph Murdy, Intern
Today I anxiously arrived home while dark clouds loomed over me. Hopeful that I might be able to cut the grass before it rained yet again causing the grass to grow even longer. As I cut the grass I could hear thunder through the loud roar of the lawn mowers blades. I fought harder against my better judgment which told me to get inside the house before the storm got worse. Somewhere between the first and second lightning strike I but the mower away and came inside. While standing by the window I starting thinking about storms.
Storms can be unpredictable, no matter how hard the weather person tries to predict. As hurricane Danielle forms off in the Atlantic the weather channel repeats over and over that the path could always change. Storms have a way of suprising us when we least expect them. They can lift of trees and sometimes homes. They can flood whole cities and even sometimes take innocent lives. Storms are messy and scary. I can only image what the disciples must have been thinking when the storm hit them suddenly on the lake. They must have been terrified!
Although this story is about a real storm with real waves, the storms we often face in our lives can be just as dangerous and just as frightening. The storms we encounter in our lives can leave us worn down, depressed, and with a feeling of utter helplessness. How will we begin to repair what has been lost, broken, devastated? Storms come in many forms and in many ways. It might be the experience of losing a loved one, a faith crisis, or even feeling lost and alone. Whatever your storm might be you can be sure that one thing is certain, God is right there beside you.
When the disciples suddenly found themselves faced with a storm, in fact one of their first real challenges as disciples in the Gospel of Luke, they turned to Jesus. Immediately after the disciples woke Jesus from his nap Jesus rebuked the storm. What Jesus puts forth next is key, he says, “Where is your faith?” This is not a demanding question, but rather a reminder and a reassurance that he is with them. In Matthews telling of the story Jesus asks, “Why are you afraid?” Jesus’ comments might be puzzling, but they are gentle and loving reminders of Gods faithful presence with us especially in the midst of storms.
The next time you find yourself in a storm be that internal or while you’re cutting the grass give thanks to God for God’s enduring faithfulness and presence in your life. Remember what the disciples asked among themselves after Jesus calmed the storm, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” He is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and he promises to always be with you.
Today: Think of someone who is in the midst of a storm, call them, email them, write them, and tell them that you care and assure them that God is there.
Today I anxiously arrived home while dark clouds loomed over me. Hopeful that I might be able to cut the grass before it rained yet again causing the grass to grow even longer. As I cut the grass I could hear thunder through the loud roar of the lawn mowers blades. I fought harder against my better judgment which told me to get inside the house before the storm got worse. Somewhere between the first and second lightning strike I but the mower away and came inside. While standing by the window I starting thinking about storms.
Storms can be unpredictable, no matter how hard the weather person tries to predict. As hurricane Danielle forms off in the Atlantic the weather channel repeats over and over that the path could always change. Storms have a way of suprising us when we least expect them. They can lift of trees and sometimes homes. They can flood whole cities and even sometimes take innocent lives. Storms are messy and scary. I can only image what the disciples must have been thinking when the storm hit them suddenly on the lake. They must have been terrified!
Although this story is about a real storm with real waves, the storms we often face in our lives can be just as dangerous and just as frightening. The storms we encounter in our lives can leave us worn down, depressed, and with a feeling of utter helplessness. How will we begin to repair what has been lost, broken, devastated? Storms come in many forms and in many ways. It might be the experience of losing a loved one, a faith crisis, or even feeling lost and alone. Whatever your storm might be you can be sure that one thing is certain, God is right there beside you.
When the disciples suddenly found themselves faced with a storm, in fact one of their first real challenges as disciples in the Gospel of Luke, they turned to Jesus. Immediately after the disciples woke Jesus from his nap Jesus rebuked the storm. What Jesus puts forth next is key, he says, “Where is your faith?” This is not a demanding question, but rather a reminder and a reassurance that he is with them. In Matthews telling of the story Jesus asks, “Why are you afraid?” Jesus’ comments might be puzzling, but they are gentle and loving reminders of Gods faithful presence with us especially in the midst of storms.
The next time you find yourself in a storm be that internal or while you’re cutting the grass give thanks to God for God’s enduring faithfulness and presence in your life. Remember what the disciples asked among themselves after Jesus calmed the storm, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” He is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and he promises to always be with you.
Today: Think of someone who is in the midst of a storm, call them, email them, write them, and tell them that you care and assure them that God is there.
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