These are strange times we’re living in. Time is literally standing still for most of us as our cities slowly shut down around us. Yet some how it feels holy, sacred, set apart. It seems as if our heavenly Father is beckoning us to sit with Him.
He is calm in the midst of chaos. He is love. He is peace. He is compassion. When we sit at his feet, we have access to these things, because they are a part of who He is.
Several stories from the Bible come to mind, but for times’ sake I will only mention two. (I have paraphrased them, but you can click on the reference to get exact text.)
Example 1: Matthew 8:23-27 – There’s a storm going on. His disciples are freaking out but Jesus is literally sleeping in the boat. They woke him, saying, “Save us Lord; we are perishing.” To which he responded, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. The disciples marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
Example 2: Matthew 14: 22-33 – Jesus had just finished feeding the 5000. He put the disciples in a boat, sent them ahead of them and went up the mountain by himself to pray. In the middle of the night, He went to meet the disciples. He didn’t take a boat. He walked there, on top of the water. When they first saw Jesus walking on water, they thought it was ghost, and cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately peached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they go into the boat, the wind ceased.
We are in the middle of the storm. And I can’t help but hear Jesus whisper the same thing to me. Maybe He’s whispering it to you too. “O you of little faith, why are you doubting? Why are you afraid?”
In both instances, He calmed the storm, but I love the second story the most. He didn’t need to calm the storm for Peter to walk on water. When Peter’s eyes were fixed on Jesus it did not matter what his circumstances were. He rejoiced. He took the next step. He walked on water – something no other human being has ever been able to do.
My prayer for us today is that we too will fix our eyes on Jesus in the middle of the storm. That we will spend a little extra time sitting at His feet – listening, learning, reading & receive the peace, love & compassion that He is offering us.
Love always,
Amber Nicole
Just Going for God 