It seems we’ve had a few storms blow through our area lately. But, not just here in the Mitchell region, but all across our nation there have been significant storms. From Texas to North Dakota, New Mexico to New York, storms have had an impact on people’s property and lives have even been lost, we especially think of all the children from that church camp in Texas that were swept away in a flash flood due to a rain storm.
It was just about a week ago our neighbor to the north, Woonsocket, was hit by a windstorm that caused significant damage to businesses and homes in the town. Fortunately, no lives were lost but there was plenty of property damage. One of my neighbors is the pastor of Spirit of Faith Church in Woonsocket, their church was spared any damage for which they are thankful so they are able to focus on helping others. There were also farmers who lost crops because of high winds, hail, etc. in other parts of our region.
I’ve just described one kind of storm…a weather-related storm. I also remember experiencing another type of severe storm when I was around 14 years old. A friend and neighbor boy my age was killed in a tragic motor vehicle accident. That was a storm that really shook my world!
Storms are nothing new. They’ve been around throughout human history. There are even storms mentioned in the Bible, with several involving Jesus. One storm in particular is told of in Mark’s story of Jesus’ life. Jesus and the disciples are in a boat crossing the sea of Galilee. Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat. A sudden storm blows in, and the boat is taking on water. The disciples are terrified. One of the disciples wakes up Jesus saying, “Master, don’t you care that we are perishing?” Jesus wakes up and calms the storm. The disciples are amazed and awestruck at the power Jesus displays. “Who is this man?!” they wonder.
You know, there have been many times in my life journey where I’ve experienced storms. I have felt very much alone in many of those situations, and I too have asked the same question, “Jesus, don’t you care that I’m overwhelmed…that I feel like I’m drowning?” In those questions what I’m really saying is, Jesus I feel like you don’t care about me!! I may feel the aloneness in the moment, but in each of those situations I have later realized Jesus was there. I may not have heard an actual voice, but in those situations what I have found is that somehow, I gained the strength to keep on going or someone come along at just the right time and put an arm around my shoulders and asked how I was doing. In each case that was Jesus’ calming the storm, helping me make it through, and letting me know he was there. Jesus did/does care!!
One of the great things about our more rural community is that people step in to help when storms appear. I’ve already seen people provide assistance for those damaged by the storm in Woonsocket. That is a beautiful thing. These are moments in which we all can be the hands and feet of Jesus helping others out. Yes, Jesus is there…he appears in many forms – in part through each of us.
Is there a storm in your life? Jesus isn’t silent. His presence, strength, and calm might be there in a form you simply aren’t expecting. In the midst of the storm, don’t jump ship because Jesus is there in the boat with you!