Jesus > Your Storm

Off the top of my head, I can think of a dozen kids whose tumultuous lives have been interrupted by seasons of peace and security in the refuge of foster families. Through no fault of their own, these kiddos have found themselves in the midst of neglect, abuse, and other toxic environments. And a single woman or a couple or a family has made the choice to change just about everything in their lives to become a safe harbor for a child in desperate need.

The Bible tells about an evening when Jesus and His closest friends decide to hop into a boat and cross over to the other side of a lake. It’s an apparently calm, relaxing journey because Jesus manages to find a comfortable spot and take a nap. Not too far into the trip, a squall overtakes the boat. As opposed to a wind gust, a squall is a sudden, violent, sustained windstorm accompanied by a downpour of rain. The fellas in the boat with Jesus are now fearing for their lives as the waves crash over the sides and threaten to sink the vessel. In their panic, they rouse Jesus with their shouts: “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Matthew 8:25b) Jesus gets up and orders the raging storm: “Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39b) All three accounts of this story say that the winds died down and there was complete calm. And all three accounts mention that these men were “amazed,” “terrified,” and “in fear” of their Friend Who had just revealed an aspect of His power and authority they’d never seen before.

Twelve kiddos that I know have endured their own unique version of a squall. Defenseless, vulnerable, fearful. Let down by those entrusted with their lives to care for, nurture, and protect them. At the mercy of waves of indifference, anger, and addiction, they have been tossed about by circumstances beyond their control.

And each one of those twelve was suddenly stunned by the stillness of peace and security found in a home ruled by order and love. Hearts opened wide and willing to sacrifice to create a refuge for a child. Men and women, boys and girls knowing little to nothing about the child arriving on their doorsteps except that he or she was drowning in pain and distress.

“Quiet! Be still!” God used and is using my friends to be the calm after the storm – at least for a season – in the life of a child. God can use you to be that calm for others, too. It may be caring for a child in foster care. Or it may be walking faithfully with a friend through a terrible loss. It may be encouraging a spouse through an extended time of unemployment. It may be supporting a brother or sister in Christ through a difficult diagnosis. It may be listening compassionately to and advising wisely a loved one at a crucial crossroads.

There are a million circumstances with a million ways God can use you to be the calm in someone else’s storm. Ask Him where you can best be an oasis of peace for someone going through a difficult time, and listen for His leading. It will require sacrifice. It will require faithfulness. It will require commitment. You may face weariness. You may face isolation. You may face disillusionment. But don’t miss this opportunity to serve Him because of your own feelings of inadequacy. If He calls you to minister to someone, He’ll graciously and abundantly equip you. He will be your Strength, your Peace, and your Supply.

And if you’re the one facing the squall and being gripped by fear and uncertainty, cry out like Jesus’ friends in the boat that day: “Lord, save me!” Your God will hear your cry. He won’t let you drown, dear one. Refuge, respite, and rescue are on the way.

In the end, we’ll all be amazed by our awesome God and how He chooses to use the storms – and us – for our good and His glory.

(You can read the accounts of Jesus and His power over the storms in Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25.)