A little note about today’s post:
Yesterday was hard. Really hard. Things like sicknesses, a car accident, having to cancel a long anticipated vacation, and listening to too much news all swirled together to create one heck of an internal storm. Yet, the lesson I had been planning to teach to 3 year old’s today was that of Jesus calming the storm. And as I had to wave the white flag and let my co-teacher know I wouldn’t be able to teach today, I started to have a little pity party. Yet, God in His infinite goodness (after allowing me to wallow for an hour or two) began to whisper beautiful truth from the lesson I would have been teaching. “Peace, be still my child,” I heard echo through my heart, “For your peace lies within, where I AM with you…always.”
And so, although not Valentines-y in nature, today’s post is in fact a love letter spoken from the voice of Love Himself. I hope it blesses you as much as it did me!
“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:37-39
The disciples were afraid because of the storm wreaking havoc in their circumstances.
Waves tossing them to and fro. Water filling their boat.
And yet, they need not fear.
Why?
Not because Jesus would stand up and calm the storm. Not even because the wind and waves had to obey Him.
But because Peace Himself was within their vessel.
They didn’t need Jesus to calm the storm, they just needed to hold fast to Him.
He did in fact calm the storm. And He did indeed show them His awesome power. But they still would have been ok even if He hadn’t. Jesus didn’t have to change their circumstances for them to have peace. They already had it. For Peace was sleeping peacefully within their vessel.
The Prince of Peace was with them, just as He was with Daniel in the lion’s den. Just as He was with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fire.
Just as He is with us today.
The storm is raging. Waves of uncertainty are tossing us to and fro. Water is breeching our walls of comfort and complacency.
But, if we have trusted in Jesus. If we claim His Name and His righteousness, then Peace dwells within us, and we need not fear the storm.
Whether He rebukes the storm and says, “Peace, be still” over our circumstances, or whether He simply holds us tight in the midst of the storm, we can trust Him to be our anchor, our steadfast, unmoving anchor.
We, as God’s children, literally have Peace dwelling within the vessel of our heart.
What might happen if we truly lived that truth?
Are you facing a storm today?
Maybe, for just a moment, see Jesus resting within the vessel of your heart. See Him at peace within you and go to Him. Reach for Him. And allow Him to speak peace over your anxious heart. Trust Him to see you through this storm and to never, ever, let you go.
Peace. Be still my sweet friend.
Much love,
Jen
