STORMS

It rained today. It lightened and thundered. The clouds were black and omnious. At one point the wind was blowing so strong it looked like it was raining sideways. But, I felt smug and safe watching it all from inside my warm, dry house. I was safe. The storm wasn't threatening me at all. It was merely a climatic event to be observed - and enjoyed.

I have fond memories of watching other rainstorms with my grandfather. We'd sit on his screened in porch andwatch for tornadoes while listening to the wind whistle it's way across the cornfields. It was oddly comforting. We were inside. The storm was outside. We were dry. Everything outside was wet. We enjoyed the cleansing freshness. Others were treking through mud. We were soothed by the rythmic patter while animals no doubt scurried for shelter.

In other words, the storm was around us, but it did not invade us. We enjoyed its benefits but we did not feel its pain.

And isn't that what Jesus tells us about weathering life's storms ? Whether they are financial storms, marriage storms, health storms or work storms the message is clear: Jesus is with us so what are we afraid of? He's promised the storm will not invade us or overtake us. We are to enjoy it's benefits - look for the silver lining - but otherwise relax and let Him take care of it. He'll shelter us. He'll protect us. He'll speak peace into our rocking boat. (Mark 4:36-39; Isaiah 43:2-3; Psalm 107:30, Isaiah 4:5-6)

"On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake]. ...And leaving the throng, they took Him with them, [just] as He was, in the boat [in which He was sitting]. And other boats were with Him. ...And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. ...But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? ...And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased ( sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm ( a perfect peacefulness). ..He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)? ...And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?" (Mark 4:35-41 Amplified Version)