Uninvited storms…..
There are times in our lives, when all of a sudden without invitation, no preparedness, or time to dig in, that problems, trials and storms just seem to catch us off guard. We never went looking for this problem this entanglement that we find our selves in. We call these ‘storms of life’. There was a moment of time like this that the disciples found themselves in, in what had been a glorious day up until then.
In a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee and head on into a massive storm!
This storm is recorded in all four gospels in great detail….Matthew 14:24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. Now Jesus knew this storm was going to come and yet He allowed His disciples to row into it? Why does God allow those difficult situations of life to sweep over us?
Could it be that God wanted to get our most sincere attention? To have us shift our compass of life a few degrees to get us back on course? One thing I am sure of is that when such things sweep over my life, my prayers change direction, become more intense, focused and desperate. I find myself praying without doubt totally led by God and about things and situations that I had not been praying about previously. Things within my life, weaknesses, habits and emotions that need to be brought before the throne of God.
Sadly, so often in our lives we so easily drift a little, go through the motions and without knowing find ourselves no longer pressing for the prize…as the Apostle Paul exhorts us to …Philippian3: 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Now whilst I struggle emotionally initially when these storms hit my life as did the disciples in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, it is in those moments especially that I move closer to God’s heart in prayer and I wonderfully become even more dependent upon Him for everything…to help me through and I grow, mature a little more!
If you are in an ‘uninvited storm’ at this very moment may you take that most wonderful position of prayer and call on God like never before!
Don’t forget that during that time, the disciples had the private privilege of seeing Jesus the Son of God walking on water, Peter walked on water, but most importantly the disciples found themselves safely at shore with Jesus and they were never the same again! Jesus made sure they got through the storm. God will get you through your storm, you can count on Him!