Are you in a storm? If not you have just gone through one or
are about to enter one again. Now that is a negative view of life you might
say. Sorry, “that’s life.” As the psalmist David said in Psalm 23, “Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil
for You are with me; Your rod and staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4
NKJV). He wrote this near the end of his
tumultuous life. It’s just the way it is. We are in valleys most of the time. But
remember that the flowers grow and the rivers flow in the valleys of life. It
is our fertile place to live and learn.
The biggest storm story in Scripture is in the Book of Acts
when Paul is being taken by ship to a Roman prison when a huge storm arises:
“When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their
opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of
hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm
and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. As we passed to the lee of a
small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, so the men hoisted it aboard. Then
they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were
afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea
anchor and let the ship be driven along. We took such a violent battering
from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the
ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars
appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all
hope of being saved.
After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up
before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from
Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up
your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be
destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I
serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before
Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for
I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground
on some island” (Acts
27:13-25).
The
ship wrecked and ran aground, but all the men survived as God had told Paul.
There are some important storm lessons in this passage worth emphasizing in
preparation for your next storm. Notice how there were five precautionary measures that the ship’s
crew took to prepare the ship or baton it down for the storm. How about
starting with bringing their lifeboat on board so it would not be washed away. It
is good to have a lifeboat, even God. They wrapped or “frapped” the ship with
ropes to help hold it together. I like to compare this to the Galatians 5:23
passage of “putting on the whole armor of God” for protection, defense and offense
against the enemy. They put out a sea anchor to slow down the ship and threw
unnecessary rigging and cargo overboard. Are you carrying excess cargo of some
kind in your life? It may be debt or the wrong friends or weight. It may be forgiveness,
yes, that will burden you big time. Then Paul stepped forward and encouraged
the frightened men. He told them that an angel God had told him to not fear for
none would perish.
Luke
in telling the story neglected to tell us that Paul was an experienced seafarer
having made eleven voyages at sea. But now he was not an Apostle, but just an
ordinary man with extraordinary courage. So next, after telling them to be of
good courage, he tells them to eat something so that they might survive, as
they had taken no food for days in the storm.
Now
the men were afraid and made plans to abandon ship. But Paul somehow knew their
plans and urged them to stay with the ship or they would perish. As he took the
bread he broke it and gave thanks to his Father in heaven just as we do in the
Eucharist. Yes, Paul prayed and gave thanks. That should always be our response
in and out of trouble and calm. Storms and shipwrecks will come, but the Lord
is sovereign and will deliver us through the storm. As 1 Corinthians 10:13
reminds us,
“No
temptation (trial) has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God
is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when
you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Do you get this? All things are possible with
God’s help. Don’t think you’ve got this and can do it on your own. No, God is
our strength, refuge and shield from and through the storms of life. Don’t
leave home without Him and praying for His accompaniment as you travel the
trails of life.
I have encountered many trials in life on my own. Actually I
have caused many trials to occur all on my own. Sure others may have been
involved, but I was definitely in them. For a long time in my life I ran from
trials. Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife. Now that was a good idea. I have run
into circumstances that have caused storms. And I have also run from hard or
stormy life situations. Why? Perhaps fear of failure or fear of pain were
selfishly involved. When I have really struggled, I think it has been because I
have not sought God’s hand through the storm. Fear will overcome without the
Lord at our side and our center. Even with the Lord, storms may seem
overwhelming at times.
Specifically I recall the incredibly traumatic implosion of
a large church where I served on the pastoral staff for congregational care.
The lead pastor was an abusive man and emotionally unstable. He was skilled at
preaching, but not at relationships. The result was increasing anxiety and
distrust within the whole congregation. A climax brought intervention from the
denominational powers and the expulsion of all pastoral staff except me. I was
left to lead a crippled and traumatized congregation and divided staff back out
of a war posture. We were a little like
the Acts 27 shipwreck.
I brought in help from a skilled conflict mediator and
therapist to meet with staff and leadership, including myself. The storm still
blew strong for months until truth was shared and better understood. In this
case, I remained steadfast, even though I was afraid of the conflict, angst and
distrust that reigned throughout the organization. I was a target for much of
the storm. That’s what leadership brings. Even though interim leaders were
brought in, I was a known person so I listened, counseled and kept on going as
much as I could. I have written elsewhere on how the intensity of the storm
brought on depression in me that overwhelmed. Life had become a dark night
almost capsizing me in a violent storm. Perhaps it was like the disciples fear
in the storm on Galilee until Jesus needed to calm the sea with His command. He
was always in the boat with them.
It was in a worship service that I led, that through the
winds and rain, the Holy Spirit descended and healed me totally. I was soaked
in the sweet dew of new life and joy. The waters almost instantly began to calm
for me. God’s hand and vision caused confusion to leave and new vision became
clear. I had submitted to the trial of the storm and stayed under it. God was
now telling me clearly that I had stayed and obeyed and was now free to go
where He would call me afresh.
I now serve as chaplain for a large hospital system. It is
my calling because God opened the door. Yes there are storms, but I seem to
have a new seaworthiness. I can stand in the wind and rain. Even though I may
grumble, God is saying “shake it off” or something like that. Now I am seeking
His guidance continually, giving thanks always and praying continuously.
Storms will come and there will be more storm stories
because that is life. Build your skills to endure and keep rowing. Know when to
lower the sails or throw the sea anchor. Know when to bail and when to swim for
shore. But most importantly, be encouraged and hold the hand of the only One
who can calm the storm and get you through.
Storms are to bring us closer to God or further away- Your Choice!
ReplyDeleteStorms are to make you more mature; persevering; wise; generous; thankful; praise filled or not. God is in the praises of His people, so choose praise. Be transformed by pain into peace. It is in the journey that we learn God's lessons of the valleys.