A Raging Sea
Dear Friends,
The volatility of current world and local events has been off the charts - the information flying in from news sources can be like the winds and waves of a raging stormy sea. We need buoys that do not move when trying to navigate stormy seas. And if we want to help others navigate the raging waves, we surely need to be anchored ourselves.
Jesus is the unmovable anchor. When we are relationally connected to him, we can provide a rare source of peaceful stability to those around us.
Thirty days ago, COVID-19 was a faint headline in the US and here in the Middle East. Today, over three billion people (yes with a “B”, nearly half of the world’s population), are confined to their homes worldwide. Without much warning, many have faced tumult and disappointment as expectations and plans, which had seemed reasonable and reliable, fell apart. And last week we witnessed a paradoxical set of historical records in the US stock market: the second largest single day loss, and the largest single day gain in one-hundred years.
This deluge of news may make you feel anxious, frustrated, or perhaps neutral. These crashing waves do impact our body, heart, and spirit. But storms aren’t new to God.
The storm of Galilee
These “waves” remind me of Jesus with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee during the storm recorded in Matthew 8:23-27: And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
For the disciples, the threat of the storm was real, and each new wave set off another internal alarm. As the physical waves of the storm came in rapid succession, the anxiety of the disciples increased, telling them they must do something. Our situation is similar, except the waves (news) and the storm (what could happen) are much harder to decipher or even, at times, believe.
Awaken Jesus to you
Nevertheless, our response should be the same as the disciples. On their boat in the Sea of Galilee, the anxiety continued until the disciples reached out to awaken Jesus--as they called out, he was awoken to them. Then the disciples’ fear and/or anxiety that came from the threat of the storm dissipated as quickly as the threat itself.
Here are two thoughts on how to awaken Jesus to you.
1) Perceive Jesus in your everyday: I know that daily life in our material world makes it hard to be aware that Jesus is actually with us. But Jesus said that he is with us. Now. Not just a spiritual thought. He is here. I am surely with you, even unto the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20). As with the disciples, as soon as we awaken the presence of Jesus to ourselves, we have a connectedness. Peace comes because fear leaves. (Remember, it is love that casts out all fear.) And when we are in the presence of Jesus, we are in the presence of his love. Assuming he is in the room, connected with you, how does that affect how you would react to the latest headline? The newest soundbites?
2) Look to the day after: We experience peace not only from perceiving that Jesus is actually with us, but also from the peace that comes in knowing there is a moment after. Hope is the energy that moves us through hard or dull times well. It is hopeful, when faced with whatever is before us, to keep an eye on what’s ahead. Whether we are talking about an immediate crisis, or we are talking about all of our time here on earth—there is always the day after. Consider that day. In five, ten years from now, how would we like to look back on our reactions, interactions, and hearts towards those around us, while we were in the midst of the storm? If the answer doesn’t match our current state, we must call upon Jesus, awaken himself to us, and tell him about the storm.
Grandmother Alma Clara Corsini, 95, from Italy, has recovered from the coronavirus.
Dailymail.co.uk
It’s helpful for me to distill what I am thinking about and hopefully you are encouraged. I’m trying to send out a similar email every week or so. If it’s something you’d be interested in, and you haven’t already done so, please reply to this with a short note so I can keep track. This time, please free to forward to this anyone who you think might benefit or enjoy it.
With much love,
ED