The Storm is Beautiful

Featured photo and all other photos in this blog courtesy of John Carley.

“…Peace, Be still.”

Mark 4:39

You know that moment just before our Louisiana summer thunderstorms get started, and the atmosphere is so sticky with humidity? The air feels oppressive, but the mixing colors of the sky, sun and clouds are just beautiful.

The sun is still blazing, but wisps of white and gray clouds begin to float in, and the dazzling blue sky gives way to iridescent, bright white clouds. The colors in the sky seem oddly out of place because everyone knows what’s coming. Dark, turbulent skies are not far away.

On this particular day I was standing under the cover of my front porch watching those dark, heavy clouds rolling in. Little did I know that my talented stepson, John, was enjoying and capturing the wonder himself.

The first refreshing gusts of wind cooled the hot summer day. I loved it! Then came the thunder and rain. God’s creation is so breathtaking!

Once the lightning began my reverie was broken. I have great courage in a little wind and rain. But lightning bolts have earned my respect.

 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him. ³⁷ A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled. ³⁸ He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and asked him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?”

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awakened him, and said unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

One of the things that I love about storms, especially those that seem threatening, is both the reminder of this story and the notion of Jesus asleep in the fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee, in the fearsome storm.

You all know the story. Our exhausted Savior is sleeping so soundly that He wasn’t stirred, even though the wind-battered boat was being pushed around and filling with water from the crashing waves.

I love the thought of my Savior understanding weariness. I know he experienced exhaustion, just like we do. Because he did, he can relate to my weariness. He was not afraid of the storm though. He rested in the care and the trustworthy plan of His Father.

Why can’t we just embrace the awesome beauty and power of the storm? We still give in to fear. I know I do. I move along through my life thinking that I have conquered fears and doubt. Then a storm of nature pops up, with hurricane force winds or a human storm of conflict and worry. Both can terrify me when I take my eyes off the source of my safety. Jesus. He never loses control. This world of fear and torment cannot rob my soul or my peace.

Jesus always knows right where I am. He is with me. Look at His promise below.

“Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.”

John 14:27

There is an old hymn that tells the story, Peace! Be Still! I have linked it for you to read the lyrics. I hope you will. But my favorite part of that hymn are these lines:

Peace. Be Still¹
…Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons, or men, or whatever it be.
No water can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean and earth and skies!
They all shall sweetly obey My will.
Peace. Be still. Peace. Be still.
They all shall sweetly obey my will, peace, peace. Be still.

For your further Bible study this week, take a look at a passage that is familiar to most believers.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword… For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-39

1. Peace, Be Still
   James Cleaveland
   Public Domain ↩︎