storms

This past weekend I had the opportunity to teach from Mark 4:35-41; Jesus calming a storm, and as I prepared for the message, I would try and think of storms I could use as illustrations to help people listening get a better understanding of what Jesus was capable of in their life. I tried not to name any specific storms which individuals may be currently going through themselves, so as not to have someone think I was speaking directly to them; to make the storms more generic.

However, God had other plans. Even though I wanted to focus more on "storms" in a general way, and not select a specific one to teach on, God introduced me to three storms people in the church were facing this weekend. These were specific storms shaking their lives; storms they did not see coming; storms which have gripped them in fear; storms they didn't feel they could handle on their own.

Knowing people are sitting in the seats, listening to what I am saying, and knowing they are actually in a storm at that very moment, played with my mind. Do I make a connection emotionally, joining with them in their storm, feeling the fear and the anxiety they're facing?....Or, do I place my trust and faith in Jesus; the calmer of the storm. I want them to know about the love Jesus has for them; how he gave His life for them because of that love; how He can calm them in the storm they are facing. Sometimes, it's not the storm "out there" that needs to be calmed, but the storm "inside" we need calmed. This is the type of storm most people face; the one no one else sees.

I choose to teach with the confidence I have in Jesus and in knowing how He has been with me through storms in my life. I share with them this confidence and faith I have in the One who has calmed my storms. I pray with them because I know God will respond to the cries of His children for help, and that He will comfort them and calm their storm.

I bring them into the boat I am in...the boat where Jesus showed me His peace in my storm.