A Heaven-sent Storm in Your Future

This is the hurricane season in S. Florida, so let’s think about storms. In Mark 4:35, we find that Jesus sent the disciples to a storm, not from a storm. Evidently, there was a lesson of faith they needed to learn (Mark 4:40). I think that sometimes Jesus does the same for us in our journey with Him. He will, at times, take us into personal encounters with dangers, difficulties, disappointments and even death. The adventures of the Christian life are not always occasions for individual escape, but spiritual fulfillment. God sets us on stormy seas not to see if we can escape but to show us how He can transform. In so doing, mysteriously, He blesses us by challenging us and then changing us. Therefore, it is better to keep in the forefront of our thoughts not some plan of escape but what possible opportunity there may be for personal growth.

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter tried to gain an escape for Jesus and the disciples by drawing a sword. Jesus, however, stopped Peter and said, “Don’t you know I could ask my Father and He would give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should Scriptures be fulfilled?” (Matthew 26:53-54). In this statement, Jesus is showing us the adventures of life afford us two options: escape or fulfillment. Many of us are drawing a sword or withdrawing before the sword fight, but both are an attitude of escape.

So what must we do in the threatening situations of life? We should do as Jesus did—He surrendered to the Father’s plan for His life—“Not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). This was the plan for the redemption of humanity through Calvary. This was far more important than any escape plan. It was the plan for the fulfillment of our salvation! God’s plans are always for our fulfillment—even when it involves storms and seas.

Keep this in mind: It would not be unusual for our Lord to place us in threatening situations. He does this not to overwhelm us with these problems but to surround us with His presence. This becomes not so much a time of testing, as it is an occasion for trusting. It is a heaven-sent opportunity to experience His love up-close and personal. It is our golden moment to exercise absolute trust in our Heavenly Father. Thus our primary interest should not be to escape, but to cooperate. It is to open our minds and hearts to our Lord’s great work in our lives. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

Although God’s great work might be drawn on the canvass of a stormy sea, still may the Creator of the universe design in us His Masterpiece of spiritual artistry! May whatever beauty be to His glory! His will, always!

Devotedly yours,

Pastor Ron