Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Our Savior in the Storm
When I was young, I loved storms. In the winter I loved snowstorms, which brought canceled school and snow forts. In the summer I loved thunderstorms, with their strong winds, rumbling thunder, flashes of lightning, and sheets of rain. As I grew older, I learned about the destructive side of storms, such as blizzards, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. I also learned about and experienced other types of storms, which are the storms of life. These storms include broken relationships, loss of loved ones, life-threatening diseases, and the uncertainties of life. Some of these storms you see coming, while others come suddenly.
There are two great lessons in the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4. One lesson is that for Jesus’ followers there will be storms. Just being a Christian does not mean we will be spared the storms of natural disasters or the storms of life.
The other great lesson is that we, like the disciples, have someone we can turn to when there is a storm. We can turn to Jesus. Just as Jesus calmed the storm on the water, Jesus will help calm whatever storm we face. In the story, Jesus called the wind and the waves to be still. When we turn to Jesus in our storms, his words “Be still” are not so much at the storm we face. Instead, Jesus’ words “Be still” are words for our hearts. They are words of assurance saying that Jesus is with us. They are words of assurance saying that with Jesus we do not need to be afraid. They are words of assurance saying that Jesus will help see us through whatever storm we face.
Sadly, many people who face storms in life do not turn to the Savior. Yet if we put our trust and faith in Jesus, we have a Savior who is with us in the storm and through the storm.
Doug Rights, pastor, King Moravian Church, King, North Carolina