Storm Warning: Storm Chasing — Tuesday
Matthew 14:24
…but the boat by this time was a long way from land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. (ESV)
When our kids were young, things were always a little chaotic, of course, but nothing was worse than getting ready for church on Sunday mornings. Something, or many things, always seemed to go wrong.
How does one lose a left shoe or a coat completely? Why did you put your pants on over your pajamas? How are we out of milk for breakfast—I thought someone checked yesterday. Why did my child just draw on their face with a magic marker as we were about to walk out the door? Also, where is my third child…
Most of all, Sunday mornings were the peak of miscommunication and unmet expectations between my husband and myself. It’s almost like we had an enemy who didn’t want us to make it to church, or wanted our hearts and minds distracted from what God might say to us! And for some reason, as we replayed this scene almost every week, I seemed to be surprised and frustrated every week.
In life, sometimes we can see the storms coming, and sometimes the storms surprise us, but just like the disciples shouldn’t have been surprised by a storm on the water that was tossing their boat around, we can be certain that life will, at times, toss us around. When we are caught off guard by life’s difficulties, often our natural response is fear.
In Matthew 14:26, the disciples were afraid because they didn’t recognize Jesus. The storm scared them, and then seeing Jesus out on the water scared them. They didn’t realize the One who could control the wind and the waves was right there, and if there was ever a time to rest in His peace, it was when He was right there with them.
How often do we respond in fear, forgetting that our Savior is already right there? Not recognizing His presence does not mean He is absent or we are forgotten. His peace is always available because He is always present.
Tuesday’s Reflection
When the storms of life seemingly hit out of nowhere, what is your response? Pray that your first response would be looking for Jesus. Then, practice resting in His presence.