“Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a storm came up on the lake, so the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” (Matthew 8:23-24 NIV)
The pandemic rages on and it seems no one is untouched by it’s affects. I know missionaries in foreign countries still stuck on lockdown, brides who have married over facebook live, loved ones isolated for months in nursing homes. I have a high schooler hasn’t set foot in a classroom since February. I’ve got a friend who who’s tour of duty dragged on extra months, she rode out CoVid in an air-conditioned container in the desert; unpleasant, underdeveloped and totally isolated. Our senior class endured a socially distant graduation, only to face the workforce with masks or continuing education online. I have had many friends who have lost parents without the ability to be at their bedside in their final hours. I know folks who have fought the ugly disease themselves and experienced the fear, fever and stigma of a positive CoVid diagnosis. I know people who’s entire industry closed up entirely and has not yet resumed. We’ve all cancelled plans, trips, appointments and surrendered agendas. CoVid has left no one untouched.
I’ve heard this pandemic described as a global storm: an international typhoon that has set over the world for most of a year now. I think this is a great analogy because while the global weather rages on at varying degrees of intensity across the earth, we are all in different boats. Our view and experience within this storm is unique to our location and position, even the kind of craft we were committed to when this crisis began. Some are devastated. Others, terribly inconvenienced. Some are grieving deeply. Most everyone is lonely and craving a return to ‘normal’. Some are annoyed and still others are bitterly angry. Everyone is affected. The world waters are churning: a storm of this size and persistence will have ramifications for years to come.
In prayer last week, the Lord reminded me of the global tempest and also all the individual boats trying to survive the gale. He brought to mind this particular text and spoke plainly. “I’m in every boat.”
See, we are each experiencing our own private version of 2020’s fury. The view from every craft is unique. But the same Savior is in every boat along with us. We are not alone on the waters of the pandemic. The beauty of Him being in every boat is that our encounter with Him through this stormy season will be incredibly profound and personal.
“The disciples went and woke Him, saying “Lord save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?
Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (Matthew 8:25-26 NIV)
If you haven’t awakened Him yet, now is a good time. Call on Him. Remind Him of His character amidst your situation: not for His sake, but for yours. Speak to God about who His word says He is – the calmer of storms and the speaker of peace. Awaken Him and be soothed by His very real presence in your personal story. Imagine the individual testimonies we’ll have when all of this is over?
Jesus addressed the winds and the waves: the invisible and the visible, the felt and the seen. He is still the calmer of our storms – even those that impact on a global scale.
“The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and waves obey Him!” (Matthew 8:27 NIV)
The disciples survived the storm AND they gained a greater understanding of who Jesus is. We are going to survive as well: no matter what happens. Truly knowing Jesus secures our place in eternity, an earthly squall is just that, limited to here and now. For the believer, suffering will end at death and never resume again. One day soon we’ll turn in our boat for a more permanent dwelling and an eternal Kingdom citizenship. Until then, hang on, call on Christ and trust Him to speak to your corner of the storm.
Lord, we can tell You plainly, we don’t like storms. We prefer smooth sailing. But storms are where spiritual muscle is tested, torn and rebuilt. Storms develop perseverance and measure our trust, ultimately building up our belief in You. Today we recognize that You are in our boat. While our pandemic experience may be unique, so is our perspective of Your sovereignty amidst this storm. We are gaining a special view of You. May we revel in that; the personal presence of the living God in our exploits. We wake You now, Lord, confident of Your ability to speak to the situations that set off alarms in our soul. We trust You even as the storm persists. Amen.