The Quiet Storm

But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.  Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”  Mark 4:37-41

I was reminded of my brother’s wife while dealing with a situation.  She had a nickname of ‘Quiet Storm.’  She had that because of her soft spoken ways but strength that was unrelenting and unmistakable.  Although she passed away over 35 years ago, she left a great impression on all those she touched.  One of them was me.  She was strong in her faith, and I remember when she spoke, she spoke with a subtle seriousness that let me know she was no one to mess with.  Today, I miss her greatly, but am heartened by her spirit that lives in her children and in my memory.  I am reminded that in silence, there indeed can be strength.

God’s strength is within us to do what is necessary.  I read in Mark this story about Jesus, and could never really understand the depth of His strength here.  There was a storm threatening to take down the boat.  The disciples woke Him up in a panic.  The interesting part is the question they ask.  It wasn’t, “Jesus, help us,” or, “Jesus, can you save us, please?”  It was this disdainful almost self-righteous response saying, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”  Reading it now, it made perfect sense!  When you truly do not believe God is who He says He is, you ask questions as if He is not.  All of this commotion, and yet, Jesus is comfortably relaxing.  Then He shows in just a moment His authority saying, “Silence!  Be still!”  All is calm again.  In that moment, we understand the whole point.  In life, we have to endure storms, and we deal with the calamity and chaos that goes with it.  However if we know who Jesus is and we call on Him, we have His quiet strength.  When all around us is falling apart, we can find rest and peace to deal with all that is around us.

In the storms of life, we have the surety that Jesus Christ is our strength and refuge.  We have certainly seen mighty storms recently, but Jesus says in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Whether your storms are as visible as they are in Texas or unknown but just as challenging in your heart and soul, find strength in Him.  What is your storm today?  Where are you questioning Jesus when you should be asking Him?  My prayer is that we trust in Jesus Christ; the always dependable ‘Quiet Storm.’  Amen.