Storms. Some big ones have been raging in our world for well over a year. Covid, politics, and racial unrest fill our news headlines day after day and sometimes minute by minute. Also, some equally powerful storms rocking our homes – financial burdens, physical and mental health issues, loss of a loved one, job changes – the list is endless. I have never used this blog to discuss current events, and that is not changing. However, I know these issues weigh heavy on all of our hearts, and they reveal an opportunity to grow our relationship with Jesus and grow as His disciples.
These storms are full of noise, flashing lights, and blowing winds – all of which cause a lot of confusion. Loved ones with differing opinions, news stations bickering, and politicians slinging blame are not helping us find our way. Instead, they are all a big distraction. They trick us into thinking we have some control over these storms, that our confusion will resolve if we just read one more article or listen to one more podcast on the issue. I can’t recall a time I have felt more confused and unsettled about issues in the news. In almost every conversation, you will hear these same undertones of fear, confusion, anger, and loneliness. The sense that we are tossed around in the storm, alone and without direction.
If we remember, Jesus’ disciples experienced much of these same feelings as they were tossed around in the storm. They were panicked as Jesus slept in the stern of the boat (Mark 4:35-41). Rembrandt depicts this scene beautifully in his piece Storm on the Sea of Galilee. In the painting, we see the disciples dealing with the storm in different ways. Recently I was asked with which disciple I most identify. It was easy; I am the one who looks to be heaving over the side of the boat. My choice is partly due to my propensity to motion sickness but more so related to how easily I get distracted by the storm and lose my focus. How I long to be the disciple that quietly kneels and prays at the feet of Jesus – trusting Him to provide.
Yet as the storm rages, we can be left wondering who is speaking the truth, who do we trust? As I have wrestled with these storms and the discourse they have caused in my own heart, the phrase, “What would Jesus do?” popped in my head. WWJD has always seemed a little cliche to me, and Jesus is so much more than a cliche. However, there is some goodness to this question because He would bring His peace and love to the situation. He would speak, “Peace! Be still!” Then, as He routinely does, He would start asking questions. I can hear Him ask, “Linda, what are you going to do during the storm?”
First and foremost, I am going to turn to Jesus. I am going to focus my eyes on His. I am going to remember He is THE truth, THE way, and THE life. He is not simply another option, but THE only option. I am going to be that disciple, kneeling at His feet, seeking His guidance.
Second, let’s be honest. I am confident I will not be receiving a call to write speeches for the president, serve on a Covid advisory board, or influence policymakers. These issues are outside of my control, and I need to surrender them over to Jesus. I will continue to pray for a speedy and peaceful outcome to these issues and do my part to help.
Most importantly, I need to ask Jesus what I can do? How can I be a better disciple? He reminds me that I can love those He places in my life. They include but are not limited to; my spouse, my boys, my friends, the stranger at the store, the pokey driver in front of me, and the lonely shut-in on my weekly call list. I can be fully present to my faith sharing group; I can accompany a friend on a journey, I can reserve judgment and not criticize, I can give whatever He asks me to offer. St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) championed this idea when she spoke, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” You can love those you encounter by looking them in the eye, actively listening to the words they speak, and acknowledging their fear, their anger, their confusion, their joy, their hope, or whatever emotion is stirring in them. I can ask Jesus the following:
Who can I pour Your love into today, Lord?
What is the truth You want me to speak today?
Where do You need me to be Your hands and feet?
When, Lord, do you want me to act?
How can I use the gifts and talents You have given me to make a difference today?
You can ask Him these same questions during your prayer time. Is prayer not part of your day? I encourage you to start; give Him 15 minutes of your day. Surrender your worries and ask Him where you can make a difference. One word of advice, pick just one question. I’m notorious for firing off LOTS of questions to Jesus during prayer. I tend to hear His answer much clearer if I stick to just one question and give Him time to answer.
Asking these questions will open your heart to the heart of Jesus. He will fill you with the Holy Spirit, strengthen you with the grace you will need to do all that He asks, and assure you that He will lead the way. The storms are going to keep coming, they are going to keep trying to distract us from Jesus, and they will do their best to keep us adrift. We can choose to be sick over the side of the boat and survive the storm, or we can choose to turn our eyes back to His, do our part, and thrive. Which choice will you make? Which question will you ask Him today?
I look forward to your blog post every month. Thank you for the reminder from Mother Theresa that we do not always have to do great things, but we can do little things with great love to affect change, others or ourselves.
Excellent analogy of current times! Your blog is always so thought provoking! Thank you!