Be Still

"The disciples were not alone in the storm, and neither are we."

WE BELIEVE IN PEACE in the midst of the storm until we realize there is a storm involved. There are gray skies and rising wind, blowing rain, billowing seas, and our craft is being tossed back and forth. Sideways. Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen, who spent their days and nights on the Sea of Galilee. Yet, caught in a storm, water filling the boat, they panicked.

It happens to all of us. I’ve had 1,000 opportunities to be afraid since God delivered me from fear. I’ve turned them down in the face of the storm, when it looked like my boat would sink. Yes, well, if it does, then God will rescue me anyhow. The disciples woke Jesus up. “Don’t you care we’re all going to die?”

He was going to die, but it’d be much worse than this storm.

Jesus rose, rebuked the wind, and spoke to the sea. “Peace, be still.” Those words “be still” actually mean to muzzle. In other words, Jesus told the sea to hush. Be quiet. And faced with the God who hovered over the waters before the creation of the world, it had no choice. Jesus walked on earth as a man, just as we do, leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit to calm storms, heal bodies, restore minds, and in the end, hang on the cross and rise again.

He faced His own storm and overcame it, to the glory of God the Father.

The disciples were not alone in the storm, and neither are we. God is with us. He is in us and upon us. He surrounds us. He calms the sea when it’s out-of-control and speaks to our fears. “Why are you so afraid?” He asked His disciples. “How is it that you have no faith?” He IS faith. He is the fullness of it within us. At any moment, whatever we are up against, we have more than enough strength, more than enough rest to make it through. He spoke peace over us with the cross in front of Him. He spoke joy. In the midst of the greatest storm of His life, He leaned on His Father and the words spoken of Him. He knew who He was and what His death would accomplish and didn’t shrink back.

We want to sail around the storm, and sometimes, this is possible. God diverts us, more times than we are aware, from hidden dangers. He is merciful always. But at other times, it is that He knows who He is in us. He did not create the storm or put us in its midst, but He is greater than it. He is greater within us than anything we must push through.

Yes, there are frustrating days when the tempest rages. But within us is the One who provided eternal calm. And even if the weather overcomes us, He has gone ahead and prepared the most beautiful place for us. Heaven is an amazing reality. Yet, I know in the here-and-now, there are things I can accomplish that only I can do for Him. I have a full life to live until I’m satisfied with it.

The storm will simply have to hush.

“Peace is my bequest to you, and the peace which I will give you is mine to give; I do not give peace as the world gives it. Do not let your heart be distressed, or play the coward.” (John 14:27 KNOX)

“My peace is the legacy I leave to you. I don’t give gifts like those of this world. Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful.” (John 14:27 VOICE)


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com