Sometimes God sends us into a storm, so He can show up in the middle of it.
This week, we’ve been spending 24 hours with Jesus.
They were 24 turbulent hours: the news of John the Baptist’s death, the return of the disciples from their mission, an entire day of teaching and healing by Jesus, and the feeding of the five thousand. Not your typical day at the office (unless you’re a disciple). 😉
The day is about to draw to a close, and it ends with a bang: a massive storm.
Storms are scary because they're unpredictable and uncontrollable. They seem to pick and choose who they affect. After a storm hits, we see homes destroyed next to untouched ones.
Storms are also inevitable. We all face them. Sometimes they destroy, sometimes they protect. I once heard a story of soldiers who had to cease a battle because of a sandstorm, followed by a downpour. It turned out the storm had exposed a minefield, saving their lives.
The past 5 years have been stormy for Jenny and me. We’ve found ourselves asking, “God, where are you in all this?” Perhaps you've felt similar storms: unemployment, illness, loss, change, confusion.
In Matthew 14, Jesus has just fed the 5,000 and sends the disciples ahead in a boat. We read how:
The boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. – Matthew 14:24 NIV
Jesus knew this storm was coming. He sent them into it.
But this story reminds us that God is always present, even when we can’t see Him. Because who shows up in the middle of the storm? Jesus! He walks towards them on the water 😮 (Matthew 14:25-27).
Jesus shows up, calms the storm, and solidifies the fact that He is God through the storm.
Sometimes God sends us into a storm, so He can show up in the middle of it.
