Living Confidently in a Chaotic World-Day 3

As we pick up on our theme of our 5-part narrative of “HOW TO LIVE CONFIDENTLY IN A CHAOTIC WORLD,” I am reminded of the story of the disciples and their trip across the lake.

It seems that Jesus and his disciples had been very busy in the performance of traveling throughout the countryside teaching, preaching and conducting healing in the towns and synagogues of the region. One calm day, Jesus approached his disciples and said, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” Now, this seemed to be a reasonable request, well within the expertise of this band of former fisherman…so they all hopped in the boat and set sail for the far side of the lake. Jesus, who was certainly tired and needed some rest, found a comfortable spot in the boat and went to sleep.

Well, as is the custom of the lake, the winds began to blow and in no short time, these rugged, experienced fishermen found themselves in the midst of a terrific storm…so fierce that they feared for their lives….all the while, Jesus continued to sleep. As the danger seemed to mount and the disciples feared that the boat would be swamped and capsize, they hurried to the Master... Luke 8:24-25 continues the story; “The disciples went and woke him saying, “Master, Master, we are going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided and ALL WAS CALM.”

In today’s world, if we are to live confidently in these chaotic times, we must learn the lesson that Jesus taught his disciples on the tempest tossed waters; in the midst of the raging wind and storm….we can be calm for HE IS CALM.

Yes, the third “C” in our list of the five “C’s” of confident living is we can live confidently for GOD IS CALM!!!!!

In the book of Psalms 107:28-30, we find confidence when we read, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm and he guided them to their desired haven.” Yes, our God is never anxious or unsettled; in fact, there are five words that do not exist in God’s vocabulary ….

“I DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING!!!!” Our Heavenly Father has never been surprised or caught “off guard”. He has never been mystified or uttered the words “oops” or “uh-oohhh”…He has seldom been early and he has never been late…but he has ALWAYS been right on time to provide us with our every need and to surround us with his unfailing love in times of distress and discomfort.

Yes, if you want to live confidently in this day and age, you need to do one thing….MIMIC GOD AND REMAIN CALM. He alone is ALL we need to make it through every situation that the devil and his minions’ may put in our path. If we will only take our eyes off of our circumstances and re- focus them on Jesus and his calming nature, then we will bring comfort and a blessed assurance to all those that we encounter in the midst of turbulent times.

As a disciple of Christ, we can watch as he rebukes the circumstances that bring about fear and trepidation in our lives ….or if we should succumb to that fear, we will be faced with the same question that Jesus posed to his disciples that night, on that stormy lake, when he asked, “WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?’

If you, as a child of the King, can remain calm when all others about you are in panic mode, then that speaks volumes about you; but more importantly, it speaks volumes about you and your relationship with Jesus.

So start living today as though nothing in this world matters… except your relationship with Jesus and you will be surprised by the calmness that will envelope your life.


Riding out life’s storms….confidently calm in His presence,
WPQ


Thought for the day:

When life’s storm clouds gather
And you see the threat of the coming rain
Just place you hope in Jesus
And He’ll take away your pain.

Just put your trust in Jesus
For He holds you in His palm
And your heart will be at peace
Your life will know His calm.

WPQ@2010