Monday, July 23, 2012

Looking At A Storm Differently


Mark 4:37-40

King James Version (KJV)
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Looking at a Storm Differently

It's summer in Georgia and that means thunderstorms.  We spend our days baking in +90 heat and our nights listening to the rumble of thunder and rush of wet winds as that night's storms start.  Some of these thunder-boomers have proven to be quite costly both emotionally and financially.  Several families in different areas of town have lost their homes to lightning strikes.  Some have lost their lives.

Storms can be very scary experiences.  I don't blame the disciples for being fearful.  Many of the men on that ship were sailors, fishermen, accustomed to being on the sea.  If they were scared, I'm sure the non-sailors were terrified.  Fear travels like a virus...as soon as one person gets it, it spreads quickly.

But Jesus slept.  He was immune to the fear virus that was going around.  Inoculated with the peace of God, the storm was just an opportunity for good sleep to a weary body.

He saw the storm differently.  He was in the same storm with His disciples.  Literally in the same boat.  But Jesus had a different perception of what was going on and He was at peace with it.

We are called to be like Jesus.  We have to learn to look at the situations of our life differently.  Storms, literal and the agonizing times we experience, shouldn't always be seen as punishment or items to fear. We should take that energy we get from being afraid and downtrodden and focus it on finding the peace.

Instead of seeing Something That Only Renders Menace....mix things up a bit and see that a storm can be a Special Opportunity TRealize Miracles (see, differently).

The circumstances don't change....just how we see them.  And, when we know that no weapon formed against us shall prosper and that we are called to live and not die, then perhaps we can stop seeing our demise in every ill wind.

Horrible things happen in this life.  I can't even begin to imagine the suffering that families in Aurora, CO are feeling right not.  Same for the families in Iraq who suffered multiple bombings all over the country where 100's were killed yesterday.  There are families in Syria who just expect death every morning they wake up as that country goes through the early throws of a civil war.  My letter rearrangement is trite in the shadow of such suffering.

But the Word of God is not.  

There is no sorrow that we can suffer that Jesus has not personally felt.  People, friends and family may come up short when trying to comfort, but Jesus knows.

I would pray that your storms are short, infrequent and minor.  But, more precisely, I pray God's will for your life and mine.  I pray that as we weather storms we both remember that regardless of the splashing of the waves, the crash of the thunder or the crackle of the lightening, that we need only look to Jesus.  If He's at peace, we can be too.

John 14:25-27

King James Version (KJV)
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Peace be with you.


Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages. 

Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41
Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - www.fcchosengeneration.com

770-573-9339 Phone
770-574-4967 Fax
chosen.gen@att.net

Alton Watkins, Pastor