One of my favorite stories in the gospel accounts of Jesus is the story of the disciples out in a storm. Even though some of them were professional fishermen, this storm had them stressed. They bailed... they rowed... they set the sail, but nothing was working to better their chances of survival. They were so focused on the storm around them that they forgot that they had someone in the boat who could make all the difference. Off in a corner of the boat was Jesus... asleep. Have you ever wondered how Jesus could sleep while the boat was being tossed around on those waves? I sure do! But when the disciples finally remembered Jesus they woke Him up and in a moment He had calmed the storm. And I think that the disciples just stood there with their mouths hanging open going, "Wow!" But I think they were also feeling a little humbled because they had forgotten about Him. They had wasted all that time focusing on the storm when they had Jesus in the boat who could make all the difference.
In this crisis we are in with Covid 19, I think often, whether we are Christ followers or not, that we often get so focused on the storm, that we forget that Jesus is in our boat with us. Jesus has never left us. He is not only with us in the good times, but He is especially there in the storms of life, ready to give us strength, ready to make a difference if we like the disciples will just call on Him. When the disciples called on Jesus in their storm, they were leaning into Him, focusing on Him to make a difference. Can we learn from them? In this crisis of Covid19 we need to first of all, not get caught up in all the media reports of this crisis, though it is important to be informed. But we must not get so caught up in the details of this crisis, that we forget about Jesus. We need to focus on the fact that we have Jesus with us, the one who can make the difference... the one who can restore calm and give us peace despite the storm that is blowing around about us. Jesus once said in John 14:27 - "My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you., Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
So today. in the midst of our storm, where is your focus? Keep it on the one who in all of this remains present and will help us if we just lean into Him. Don't get so focused on the details of your crisis that you forget Jesus. He's ready to strengthen you and give you peace. He is with you!
In this crisis we are in with Covid 19, I think often, whether we are Christ followers or not, that we often get so focused on the storm, that we forget that Jesus is in our boat with us. Jesus has never left us. He is not only with us in the good times, but He is especially there in the storms of life, ready to give us strength, ready to make a difference if we like the disciples will just call on Him. When the disciples called on Jesus in their storm, they were leaning into Him, focusing on Him to make a difference. Can we learn from them? In this crisis of Covid19 we need to first of all, not get caught up in all the media reports of this crisis, though it is important to be informed. But we must not get so caught up in the details of this crisis, that we forget about Jesus. We need to focus on the fact that we have Jesus with us, the one who can make the difference... the one who can restore calm and give us peace despite the storm that is blowing around about us. Jesus once said in John 14:27 - "My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you., Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
So today. in the midst of our storm, where is your focus? Keep it on the one who in all of this remains present and will help us if we just lean into Him. Don't get so focused on the details of your crisis that you forget Jesus. He's ready to strengthen you and give you peace. He is with you!