Facing The Storm

I stepped out yesterday morning to do something in the front yard. Check the mail, or to see how much rain had fallen, or, who knows. For just a few minutes I was outside without my phone, hence, I had no camera. The Sun was just making an appearance from the east. That’s where Mt Rainier stands over 14,000 feet tall. It was bright. Cutting through the morning haze and helping to melt away the moisture.

To the west, just as the weather forecasters predicted, the sky was dark and stormy looking. Another front moving in, bringing snow to the mountain passes and prepared to dump more rain, or snow if the temps stay low. Prayed for snow, I did.

For that briefest of moments, the clear light of the breaking dawn was striking in the face of the storm that was marching inland.

I hurried back inside to get my phone (camera) and came back to this moment as the light was fading. The clouds of the storm were obscuring the sun. Quickly. Snap a picture. Does it show the contrast between the two arenas? Maybe.

Had I but known I would have been better prepared to capture the moment. The contrast between the two, is barely seen here, but when you are standing betwixt the two, can I tell you what you should do?

Face Your Storm

Jesus commanded his disciples to go to the other side (Mark 4:35-41), and in the midst of that Galilean sea, a storm broke. Fierce. Terrifying. They turned to find Jesus asleep in the back part of the boat, and that scared them even more.

How can anyone find rest when the greatest storm of life is wailing?

It’s affecting all of us! Quickly, how do we solve the problem? Let’s wake him up. Maybe he knows what to do.

Gone was the memory of their calling to become his disciples. Forgotten are the miracles and lessons of life. They turned their back on the storm, looking for some guidance, and find Jesus asleep. On a pillow!

Fast forward a few years. Jesus has been crucified. He’s entombed. What do we do? Again, in the midst of their storm they turn to Jesus, only, this time he’s not there. They are hiding from certain doom having fled from His arrest.

Again, a few weeks forward we go. Jesus is about to ascend into heaven. He gives them their last commission of words and actions. Go back to Jerusalem. Wait. You will be baptized by the Holy Spirit in a few days.

Certainly, the soldiers are still looking for them. The temple priests want to irradicate all his followers, and they were the core of his disciples.

What would you do?

If ever there was a time for the church to stand up and be counted on, it’s in this momentary storm. Storms come to an end. Life changes and who knows what it will look like after the storm. But we still must face the storm, head-on, and be ready to be counted on. This is not the time to flee, hide, or turn away from the storm.

The disciples faced another storm of momentary proportions that equally frightened them. The ship is tossed. The winds are contrary. Jesus is not with them! (Matthew 14:22-33) They are on their own!

Jesus sent them to “the other side” while he sent away the multitudes. He went to the mountains to pray.

Meanwhile, the disciples are caught up in their storm! They were not strangers to the storms, seeing as several of them were fishermen who made their livelihood from these very waters. But not all of them!

Suddenly, Jesus comes walking across the waters.

Think about it.

The storms were no problem for Jesus. Did the waters flatten before him? Was their a center of calm surrounding his every footstep?

I’m not sure, but this I know, Peter suddenly called out to him! He wanted to be out of the boat and walking with Jesus. We all know the story. Jesus bids him leave the boat caught in the storm, and step out to the waters and come to where he was!

Talk about leaping from the frying pan and into the fire!

But while he obeys, Peter finds the winds boisterous and just as stormy! There’s no safety of creaking wood. He’s alone. His attention moves off of Jesus. He focuses on the storm. Suddenly, he’s frightened and sinking like a stone!

Jesus!

Here’s my thought this morning.

In the midst of your stormy life, face the thunderous roar, the crackling skies, and take Jesus with you.

Somewhere along the way,
we must realize that the only way to get through the storm
is to walk into the storm.

David wrote it in his popular psalm…

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4)

An old song comes to mind, of course.

Take the name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe;
It will joy and comfort give you,
Take it then where’er you go.

Precious name! Oh, how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n;
Precious name! Oh, how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n.

Take the name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from every snare.
If temptations round you gather,
Breathe that holy name in prayer.

Oh, the precious name of Jesus,
How it thrills our souls with joy;
All the favor of the Father
In this name we may enjoy.

At the name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
Claim His vict’ry over evil
And the enemy defeat.

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Doane / Fielding Jerry
Take The Name Of Jesus With You lyrics © Spoone Music Corporation

Don’t face your storms alone. Take Jesus with you as you go through your storms to the other side. Here. Or there. It really matters little the ending of the storm.