Thy Word:

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27 NLT

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My Thoughts: I believe our world is experiencing a storm of epic proportions because there is so much chaos and calamity in the world.

Let’s look at the definition of proportion: harmonious relation of parts to each other or to the whole; balance; symmetry.

There is nothing balanced, symmetrical, and certainly nothing harmonious about the battle in our world between politics, rich/poor, races, countries, religions…, just to name a few. It’s exhausting. In fact, I’ve sat on this blog for more than a week when I felt the Lord prompting me what to write because I didn’t want to stir the ‘ugly pot’ any more than it’s already being stirred.

 

But God continued to gently nudging my heart to write about this chaos. Why? Because I believe we are at a point in our world where we can fight each other to our bitter and tragic ends, or we can cry out to Jesus “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” The Bible says:

“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.” Psalms 119:1-2 NLT

In spite of the chaos and turmoil God wants us to have His joy through our integrity and obedience. He doesn’t want us to focus on the fears caused by current storms, He wants us to lean into and rely on our faith. He wants us to believe whatever is impossible for us is easy for Him.

There are so many storms it would be easy to take a negative stance and jump into the middle of the battles. Don’t. The Bible also says:

“Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” Psalms 119:37 NLT

Yesterday we honored the late Martin Luther King Jr who also said these powerful words:

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

Instead of being divisive, let’s join together in compassion, caring, sharing, loving, and lending a helping hand. Let’s show grace when someone doesn’t deserve our grace. Let’s look into how we can share our resources with those who have been affected by the government shutdown. Let’s be peacemakers. Let’s ask ourselves: is what I am about to do going to be for the greater good of everyone or am I about to make a bad situation worse? Let’s stand together, in harmony, and not allow these storms to tear us apart.

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 22:36-39 NLT

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Closing Prayer: Father God we are all in dire need of a softener for our hearts! In view of that, I pray that my teeth hold my tongue captive unless I am speaking words of love and kindness. I also pray my actions reflect only compassion and joy. Father give all of Your children’s faith a boost of power so that in all we do, we reflect You! In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.