Peace! Be Still!

It started out as a beautiful evening I suspect. Sunset, breeze, gentle flowing water. Jesus and His disciples were in a boat crossing over to another side to teach and bless more people. It was so peaceful that Jesus was laying in the back of the boat asleep. And a storm arose.

Panic stricken, His followers were in a tizzy. Hmmmmm....tizzy. Not sure of the spelling, but certainly familiar with the emotion. Fear, doubt, anxiety, restlessness. You name it - they felt it. But for Jesus, it was so peaceful that He continued to sleep.

They could take it no longer. Master, do you not care that we are perishing? Do YOU not care? Perishing? Jesus slept through the storm. What are you doing in yours?

I've seen so many storms lately. A very sick nephew whose marriage is crumbling; his mother as she waits to see the impact on him; houses facing foreclosure; brain cancer in a 22 year old; businesses unstable; sudden sickness that threatens life; friends who need Jesus in their boat; broken arms; broken hearts; unemployment; and this just names a few of the storms I'm watching right now. Tizzy material for sure.

And what does the Master say? Peace! Be still! He calms the raging sea when it fulfills the Father's plans to show God's glory. He stands with us no matter what, speaking to our personal storm "Peace! Be still!" He is not sleeping. He is waiting for you to cry to Him for help - and trust Him no matter what happens in the storm.

I love this quote from Beth Moore. "The biggest reason why I can trust in the sovereignty of God is because I am so utterly convinced of the sweetness of God." Read the gospels and watch the love of Jesus flow to people in all circumstances. The Holy Spirit lives in every person who has given their life to Jesus. He is called the Comforter. Take a break from rowing the boat and simply sit with Jesus. Wait.....can you hear His whisper? Peace! Be still!

I would like to recommend a study I'm doing right now. It is "Lord, Help Me Grow Spiritually Strong in 28 Days", and it is by Kay Arthur and David Arthur. It will bless and strengthen your "cruise".