Life is like being on a boat out at sea. Some days are gorgeous marked by clear skies, birds hoovering and fliting through the air, the smell of sweet salty water catches my senses and takes my breath away- I sit back in peace, enjoying the breath taking majesty of the creation.
And then...
The winds quickly shift, the sea that was- at one point calm, becomes angry, slashing it's water to and fro. Making noises I've never heard before, the wind picks up, howling and blowing at excessive speeds. I look up- the sky has darkened, it's almost black, I can barely see my hand in front of my face. Will I sink- will I drown- will all be lost?
The circumstances of life are very similar. In Matthew- Jesus is out on a boat with His disciples, He is asleep during a great storm, while the disciples frantically try to save themselves by rowing harder to shore. It's not until they feel as though they are going to perish that they reach out- touch the Savior to awaken Him and ask for help. (see Matthew 8:23-27)
You know what is awesome about this HIStory? Jesus knew this storm was coming, He knew when the storm was there, and He also knew when it would be calmed.
In studying God's character we find quickly that He is unchanging. He will not CHANGE! Do we as finite humans truly grasp this fact. He is the ROCK. He is what He is and He will always be.
In Matthew 7:24-27 the parable of the wise man and the foolish man is given. If you grew up in church you probably know the little song that goes with this passage. I would even bet it is going through your head at this very moment. If you didn't grown up in a Sunday school class- don't feel left out! In fact, I dare say you have the upper hand. Because when we hear things, truths, and they become so familiar to us, we are in danger of missing the proverbial- IT.
Let's read in Matthew.
"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who builds his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn't collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn't act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain feel, the rivers rose, other winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash."
(Matthew 7:24-27)
Life happens. One moment everything is peachy and before you can even blink- bam, the heavens open and the rain pours, thunder and lighting strike and you feel like you can't find shelter fast enough.
Living down South I'm familiar with impromptu rain showers, down pours and black clouds rolling in from the coast. It never ceases to amaze me the fear a storm can bring. The immediate rush that jolts through the beings of my children, reminds me of the feelings of extreme overwhelm that can bog me down when the big, tumultuous circumstances hurl their way at me in life.
But where will I run?
Far to often I like to- control, it's my default. Just like the disciples in the boat, they fought hard to row the boat to shore- and it wasn't until there was no other option left in there book of tricks, that they decided to reach out and ask- JESUS.
Writing that down I think to myself;
"Geesh- JESUS should always be the first place I run! The first person I reach for, grab hold of and plead for help."
So- next question to self:
"Why isn't HE?"
Just like the disciples I think to myself; "I GOT THIS. I can fix it. I can mange. Thanks God for your insight, could you just let me drive this crazy bus for a hot minute. Yours truly... Your Daughter."
Seriously- How ridiculously out of wack is that thinking?
It actually opens my eyes, I am like a teenager before God almighty. You know- they often think they know it all, until they realize they really don't.
I find myself crying out...
"Lead me to the ROCK that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge."
(Psalm 16:2)
As I grow in this walk, I know for sure that He is higher than I. That He is my ROCK. I have learned to turn a little faster to Him. Notice I said a little faster, because there are times that I wrestle and beg to be the one in control. Sometimes it's like a rock climber, I pull myself up one motion at a time, scaling the cliff, while the sinking sand beneath me- tells lies, that it's solid ground. I hang on for dear life, I slip and loose my footing, but I never fall- because He is the one holding me.
God knows our weakness. He knows our frailty. He knows that we are but dirt. He is watching as we go through life, He is calling us to draw near to Him as the storms rage.
"Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body."
(2 Corinthians 4:7-10)
Your clay jar has been filled with extraordinary power. You are not alone and you are not supposed to control or fight for your own way. God, Jesus, Creator of the entire universe will not leave you. In-fact, He has left the Holy Spirit to give you POWER, not your own- but God's.
What circumstances feel as though they will wipe you out at any moment? What are you afraid of? What waves are crashing on your shore?
Friend- YOU WILL NOT BE OVERTAKEN!
Calm seas are ahead. Just remember that God's ways are not our ways, His thinking is not our thinking. Circumstances, events, relationships, finances, everything- WILL CHANGE. God WILL NOT! He has a sovereign will, a plan that before time began- He chose for you. His plan will not be thwarted!
He is dependable, trustworthy and always faithful. Cling to HIM. And if your not in a storm, still cling to Him.
A relationship with Jesus Christ will bring peace that passes understanding, and a faith so deeply rooted in the rock that the quick sand below will not be tempting to jump down to.
Don't wait to reach out and grab Jesus, because everyday of your life you need Him, I need Him, we need Him. Reach out- take hold and cling to the one and only true lifeguard. Don't row any harder, let the oar fall into the water and grab the anchor. Rest in HIS POWER, not your own!