Storms

There’s that well known phrase: “The calm before the storm”. But there is a calm amidst the storm, and, it brings to mind lyrics from certain hymns.

“Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us o’er the world’s tempestuous sea; guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, for we have no help by thee.”

“Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm does bind the restless wave…O Saviour, whose almighty word, the winds and waves submissive heard, who walked upon the foaming deep, and calm amid the rage did sleep.”

Of course, Jesus as man would have needed, and had sleep. Jesus got tired, just as we get tired. We get the sense that, at times, Jesus was exhausted. He had huge crowds following Him about wanting His attention, to be healed, to be taught, to just be close to Him. He couldn’t just jump in the care to drive to the next town – He had to walk.

When we read passages like Jesus asleep amidst the storm, it is often that Jesus either wanted some time with just His disciples so He could continue their training and preparation for what was to come or/and He wanted some peace and quiet to pray and recharge.

Jesus trusted God. He knew He was near God no matter whether at sea or on land. Jesus knew He was in safe hands. He felt safe and relaxed and sleep overcame Him. Tired as He was, He slept through the sudden storm.

The Sea of Galilee often has and had sudden storms. More than 600 feet below sea level, it is surrounded by table lands beyond which are great mountains. Rivers cut deep ravines through the table lands and down into the sea. Table lands are large, flat, elevated areas of land. The ravines act like huge funnels drawing down cold winds from the mountains and so the storms strike.

This is how the storm that struck the boat Jesus and His disciples were in suddenly appeared. There was real peril. It was understandable that the disciples were scared. The woke Jesus who calmed the storm.

Everywhere that Jesus is, the storm becomes a calm.

Jesus calms the storms in and of our lives.

Jesus calms the storm of temptation.

Stevenson once said: “You know the Caledonian Railway Station in Edinburgh? One cold bleak morning I met Satan there.” It comes to us all to meet Satan. If we try to meet the tempest of temptation alone, with only our own strength, we will fail. But, if we meet it with Christ, He brings the calm and the temptations lose their power.

Jesus calms the storm of passion. He calms the hot heart and blazing tempers. On meeting one with these, someone said to them “I see you have succeeded in conquering your temper”.

The response?

“No, I didn’t conquer it. Jesus conquered it for me.”

Jesus calms the storms of sorrow.

At some point everyone experiences sorrow. The death of our loved one, tragedy, trauma, distress…

Jesus wipes our tears away and soothes our hearts. He holds us up. He calms the storm.

“With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm as we go sailing home.”

Jesus calms the storms of life. Wherever He is, the storm becomes a calm.