Storm Warning: Storm Chasing — Wednesday
Matthew 14:27
…But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (ESV)
I’ve been working at Southland for a good while, and a little over a year ago, my husband joined our staff as well. For the first 26 years of our marriage, his work life looked quite different than it does now. He usually worked far enough away that there was a significant commute, sometimes he traveled for weeks at a time, and he was always busy enough that even a text from him during the day was unusual. But now… now, he usually gets home from work before I do! Even after more than a year, I’m still surprised whenever I hear his voice in the hallway at work or when he strolls into my office to say hi. Sometimes he has to remind me he’s around!
It’s the same way with Jesus—sometimes He has to remind me He’s around, too. On my hardest days when He feels far away, and on my best days when it’s easy to be thankful, He is there. I don’t think He’s moved away from me from one day to the next—the difference is me. Later in the book of Matthew, when Jesus is sending the disciples out, He tells them, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The word “always” in this verse comes from the Greek word pas, meaning all, every, always, whole, and thoroughly. Jesus meant ALWAYS!
We forget this so easily and can quickly go into problem-solving mode when things aren’t going as planned. I had a pastor in college who often liked to remind us that when things are hard, we need to approach God, not just our problem. What if our perspective shifted from trying to figure out what we need to do, to asking God what HE wants to do? Storms and difficulties in life don’t seem as overwhelming when we think of them as God’s problems to solve. He’s likely asking us to step out in faith and obey Him along the way. Just as Jesus did not leave the disciples during the storm on the water, God doesn’t leave us when life gets hard.
Wednesday’s Reflection
Do you look for God in the storms? Do you let the Prince of Peace bring peace to your situation? Memorize Matthew 28:20 this week to remind yourself that Jesus is ALWAYS there.