Matthew 7:24-25 (NKJV)
“Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”
Have you ever had a sunny day sitting at the beach with the peaceful sound of the waves gently coming to shore? How about enjoying the scenery along a slowly flowing river as you guide your kayak downstream? Maybe that chance to finally take a boat out onto that calm lake for a chance to finally get some fishing in?
All these are moments in life where we may be able to enjoy a time of tranquility either on or near the water. The sun and the sounds of nature can be enjoyed to a point where they can bring peace to the soul. Many people long for the days they can get away to these sacred havens and do so any chance they can get.
Even when we are stuck somewhere when we can’t get away, our minds may still drift there in our dreams or quiet peaceful sounds with our eyes closed can have our thoughts going to our happy place. Our minds and our souls yearn for that feeling of serenity where everything will be alright with no worries or drama to deal with.
It would be awesome if we could live in this harmonious state and never have to encounter any turmoil. We may get ourselves to a point where we minimize what affects us, but we all know that our peaceful lakes and calm oceans will not always stay that way. One day the winds will kick up and the water will stir bringing with them waves of various sizes.
Recently I was able to see these differences when a few days at the beach began with watching gentle waves come to shore, which gave me time to reflect on many things. There is something calming and peaceful about closing your eyes and listening to the sound of the ocean. It is easy to lose yourself in the warming sun and drift off with your thoughts.
I was also reminded a few days later how those same waves can change to where they are crashing high up on the shore. The sound of their roar can be deafening and a little scary if you get too close. Even the next day the surf was rough and trying to stay afloat or just stand was a challenge that was an exhaustive undertaking.
The waves we encounter in life will be the same. One moment we are floating on a sea of tranquility and the next we are watching the water crash over our heads. As we begin to gasp for air it is easy to panic and get swept away while we frantically wave our arms to get someone’s attention. The lifeguards at the beach are pretty amazing, but they are not always there. No one may be there.
As our screams for help go unanswered and each breath gets harder to take, we have two choices. We can give up, but this goes against the bodies instinct to keep fighting for air, or we can also reach out to the one that is always there. No matter the storm in life we can pause for that briefest moment and bring our thoughts and prayers to God.
God is always listening, fore he is always there. Reaching out to Him is an option many of us dismiss with comments like, “He doesn’t want to hear from me,” “I’ve done too many things wrong in my life,” or “I don’t know how.” Just talk to the Lord. He is always there listening, He is always there to comfort you, and is there to help carry your burden.
Many of us will protest, “But I can’t because I don’t have faith like that.” At times, neither did the disciples. After a great day of preaching and fellowship they were on a nice boat ride across a lake. In Mark 4:37 we find what happens next, “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.”
Sometimes our circumstances can feel like this. In the middle of an awesome day the clouds open up on us and we panic. We grab a bucket and frantically begin trying to get the water out of our boat. The disciples were in a panic too, but in a way they took their concerns to the Lord. Mark 4:38, “But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
And what did Jesus do in Mark 4:39? “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” He calmed the storm, and they were again safe. But Jesus also rebuked them.
This was not because they woke Him up, but that they had little faith when God was literally with them. If the disciples still panicked with Jesus right there with them, if is much more difficult for us to remember. Faith does not mean that we will not encounter storms, but it does mean that we have a lifeguard walking with us.
So, next time instead of panicking, remember that the Lord is there by your side. Pause and take a breath. Then center your mind on the Lord and talk to Him from your heart. If our faith is built on His rock, He is always there to calm the storm that you are facing and can help stop those waves from taking you under. Now also please enjoy, “Call Upon The Lord Instead.”
CALL UPON THE LORD INSTEAD
One by one they come crashing up upon the shore,
Some are smaller or could be larger than the one before.
Once they end their travels most retreat back from the land,
But soon the rest complete the journey by soaking in the sand,
On a calm and peaceful day they are more like ripples on a pond,
But when nature’s fury kicks up you cannot stand by them for long.
The waves in life are the same and vary from day to day,
Many are just barely a ripple, others make you run away.
How we choose to face the large ones can define the path we’re on,
We can make the journey by ourselves or bring some others along.
There is strength in numbers and many hands make the work light,
But sometimes we put out the call for help and no one comes to fight.
There may be desperation, but remember the Lord is always there.
Fore He is never too busy to show up and in our burdens He will share.
So, we should not always be standing as the waves rise above our head,
Sometimes we must take time to kneel and Call Upon The Lord Instead.
Simple Faith Christian
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Simple Faith Christian 