storms

Falling Asleep on Take-Off

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

I am not a big fan of flying though I have flown extensively. I like to joke that I can’t fall asleep even on long flights because the pilot may need my help. In fact travel of just about any kind tends to keep me on edge. I was so surprised when I accompanied my pastor Joliam Sampaio on an overseas mission’s trip to find out that he is so used to flying that sometimes he falls asleep before take-off!

In this passage he disciples were about to leave on a mission’s trip of their own. Their pastor; Jesus Christ decided that they needed to go across the sea of Galilee. Matthew’s gospel tells us that Jesus was the first into the boat and then worn out from a long day of ministering to the multitudes he fell asleep. While the boat they were traveling approached the halfway point of their journey a wild storm blew in. The waves sloshed over the sides and the wind tossed them around so violently that the experiences fishermen piloting the boat that night began to think they might be on their way to the bottom and yet Jesus slept on. I imagine the conversations among them went something like this;

“We need a miracle Peter and since you are the oldest; you wake Him up!” shouted Peter’s younger brother Andrew over the howling of the wind.

“No way Andy!” Peter replied. “Ask John. Jesus likes Him better.”

“Me!” John answered in surprise.. “Why do you always have me ask Him all the questions. It’s Phillip’s turn this time!”

Finally as terror set in with the worsening of the state of the ship they decided it to make it  joint effort, and the shouted in unison. “Master ! Wake up! Are you so sleepy that you aren’t even worried if we all die?!”

If this sounds anything like your situation today welcome to the club. Like me you may have the tendency to stay awake in case the pilot needs help. We may fret over details; so much that any holdup or unpleasant change in our plans makes us feel that everything if falling apart. Events that we were certain we were in charge of are suddenly spinning out of control and it seems like God is either unaware or unconcerned with our panic. But the good news is that we are still in the boat with Jesus. We have 24/7 access to Him and we don’t even need to wait for an emergency to ask for His help. He is simply waiting for us to call for His help. When the Lord is in our boat He guarantees us that we will get to the destination He has determined.  There is nothing that takes Him by surprise and no opposition that can prevent us from reaching the other shore.

 

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Through the Waters

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

When I was on the worship team some years back one of my favorite songs talked about God being in our lives through every season.

I loved the easy flow of the melody and its lyrics conjured up images of God accompanying me on a river cruise. Together we would slide by the scenery of beautiful forests and mountains. Here and there a wave rocked the boat a bit but in my imagination I just held tighter to the railing and turned to God and smiled.

Reality on the other hand has been more like finding myself in a small boat that accidentally motored too close to Niagra Falls. Once caught in the overwhelming current of events inner turmoil and emotions I was swept towards the brink of destruction. Friends and family seemed far away on the river banks shouting this or that advice helpless to save. In those hours I cried out to God for grace. Then as He amazingly brought us to a safe quiet inlet and tied us up to a resting place in the harbor of His will. That experience of through the waters has shown me how little I ever understood of eternal things and how much our Savior loves.

And as we face this New Year whatever our hopes challenges or fears we can know for certain that God is not just joining us for a luxury cruise.

He has promised instead, to pilot our ship through whatever hurricanes and tsunamis lie ahead and bring us safely home. Yes He walks with us through all seasons. Our Savior stays closest in the deepest waters and carries us to safety through the mighty power of His cross!

Gift of Rest

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Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls Matthew 11:29

In all our hurry towards Christmas, it is easy for us to forget to rest for a moment at the manger. Remember how He waited the unhurried nine months in the waiting room of Mary’s womb. Then at His birth the shepherds were the first to know as they rested with their flocks.

For the next 30 quiet years Jesus lived in the tiny village of Nazareth. He didn’t burst forth with proclamations of greatness instead he worked in the back of Joseph’s carpenter shop. He had brothers and sisters with whom He shared a straw mattress on the floor and the same meals that Mary cooked for everyone. Never do we hear of a complaint an attitude of frustration.

He simply waited and rested in the place where God had put Him. It was there in Nazareth that He learned to give thanks for bread and fish. In the ordinary circumstances of His life He learned how to wash feet, celebrate weddings and how to handle wood and nails.

Whenever we feel the push to get into the holiday swing of things we need to stop and take a deep breath. Then in a moment of calm remember that the same Jesus who rested in the storm has also invited us to come and rest our souls in Him!