Peace and Be Still.

The Daily Reflections of a Shaky Hand

So many times, we are able to look back on any situation and know in hindsight how things unfolded.

Today, however, is not that day. Today, many of us are in the small fishing boat crossing the lake, like the disciples were in Matthew Chapter 8. The storms have gone from gently rocking the boat to waves that threaten to overturn the boat and they terrify us. Yet, Jesus is seemingly napping.

Maybe events in your life were already rocking the boat, even before the widespread fear of disease and isolation have overtaken our nation’s news cycle, affected our daily lives in profound ways, and left us with uncertainty. Maybe a situation you’ve been praying for has not been heard, even after years of crying out for change. Maybe your health. Your relationships need change or your job or your finances. Maybe you’ve been searching for meaning and purpose. Or for me, it’s a call that seemingly capsizes your boat in one moment, “Your dad has died”, just five weeks ago.

How very raw all of these struggles are but it’s quite apparent that the winds of fear have tried to overtake all of us lately. Like us, the disciples are human. The fear that they felt was very real and the threat of the storm was very real. Yet, Jesus was with them… and he was sleeping. Sometimes, when things happen so unexpectedly or so painfully, our first instinct is to think that Jesus was asleep in the boat. Where were you, Lord? Where are you?

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.26 The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”27

So little faith? If you’re like me, you look at the storms, and yes, it is scary. But when you realize all of Matthew Chapter 8 and each of the other Gospels, the disciples had spent an entire day with Jesus as he healed a man with leprosy, a paralyzed servant, Peter’s mother-in-law, and just to round out the day a throng of demon-possessed people. Then, after all of that, Jesus rests and the storm comes.

God is faithful. And no matter how many miracles we’ve witnessed, had things to be grateful for, been provided and protected, the waves of life will come. Yet, Jesus is with us and He is NOT sleeping and blind to our fear. He never let the waves overcome the boat and his words “peace, be still” should be the invitation to let Him calm our own waves of fear, doubt, uncertainty in this season. Let him speak those words “peace, be still” over your life today.

I invite you to ask the Lord today, to remind of you of how He’s carried you through past storms and why this one is no different.

Lord, we thank you that you are with.

That you will never leave and forsake us,

You are with us in this present storm.

Even when it feels like you are not awake,

You are.

So Lord, we praise you for your faithfulness and provision

Throughout all of our life and today.

Today, we ask that you simply tell these waves,

Peace, Be Still.

We praise you that even the wind and the waves obey you.

Amen.

Reflection Time:

What are the storms right now that are rocking the boat? List them.

What are ways that God has been faithful? List them.

Entrust your list of waves to God to be faithful and care each of them.

Go forth knowing our God is faithful.