Peace in the Storm

Have you ever been in a storm? A real storm with the wind roaring above you like a freight train? How about a storm at sea?

The biggest storm I’ve experienced was the Columbus Day Storm of 1962. On the west coast of the United States, we rarely experience hurricanes so we’re quite ignorant of what those of you on the Southwest coast of our country are exposed to multiple times during the hurricane season. I was scared. It didn’t matter my parents were there, that I was in a solid house, warm and protected, but I was afraid. The wind screamed and I couldn’t blot out  the sound with a pillow over my ears. The wind screamed and moaned all night long. At last, in the morning, it was calm.

The disciples, most of whom were fishermen were accustomed to storms that came frequently in the Sea of Galilee. I looked up some facts about the Sea of Galilee–which is really a freshwater lake. It is located in the Rift Valley, a geological fissure that forms the longest and deepest crack in the earth’s crust https://www.gotquestions.org/Sea-of-Galilee.html

Because of those geological features, storms often pop up. Jesus had been teaching on the shores of Galilee while sitting in the fishing boat. Perhaps he was tired. He was God, but also a man and in his humanity, he became tired, just as we do. While crossing the Lake, Jesus slept in a corner of the boat. I’ve been on Galilee and it is large. When the storm came up, even though the disciples were accustomed to rough waters, were scared: As they sailed, a storm formed. The winds whipped up huge waves that broke over the bow, filling the boat with so much water that even the experienced sailors among them were sure they were going to sink.

Ok. Experienced sailors were scared. Jesus was sleeping. They woke him up and He got up, shouted words into the wind, and commanded the waves. Jesus: That’s enough! Be still! (Mark 4: 39).

Remember my storm–the freight train-like sound that a pillow couldn’t muffle. In the lake storm Jesus “shouted into the wind” and said “That’s enough! Be still!” How loud do you think his voice was? Loud! The man–who was God–used his God voice to calm the storm. And what happened? And immediately the wind died down to nothing, the waves stopped (Mark 4: 39 b).

Sometimes the bigness of some storm in our lives overwhelms us. Like that hurricane of hundred-plus MPH winds that night in my life so long ago. Or like the fierce storm in Galilee that scared experienced sailors. With our backs to the wall, or we’re swamped with cares of this world and fear,  we can call on God because it’s too big for us to handle.

Jesus promises us peace:

Sometimes we’re at such a fearful place the only place to go is to Jesus. It might be a physical storm–like on a boat at sea, or a hurricane that can destroy. Or, sometimes it’s something less physical. It could be grief that is overwhelming you like the waters that broke over the bow of the boat in the Bible. It could be pain so bad you cry out, it hurts so much, like those frightened sailors cried out. A scary medical diagnosis for you or someone you love. Sometimes it’s the pain of rejection. A spouse. A child. A friend. When we’re at wits end and the only place we can go to is Jesus.

I’ve been in storms–physical and mental. The best tranquility I ever received was when I called out to him. I can tell you, he hears our cries. He’s right there alongside you.

“Lord, give us your peace that is everlasting. Help us remember to go to you, the One who calms the storm. We love you. Amen.”

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