Earthen Vessels Ministry

The Same Jesus

by Lisa Langston Tucker

 He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!"

 And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.    ~ Mark 4:39

Summer storms approach quickly in the humid south.  Sometimes without any warning, what was a clear blue sky can drastically change to high winds and hail in a moment's notice. 

Life storms are much the same.  Sometimes in the middle of the calm, blue, happy everyday life, the skies turn gray.  Without warning,

       a marriage breaks,

                     or a job is lost;

                                  finances disappear,

                                                        or health dissipates.

Death, disappointment, and despair are not often preceded by breaking news alerts.  And even if we had the time, we could never adequately prepare.

When the storm rages, one thing remains certain:  God is still God.  He did not change just because circumstances did.  He is not surprised by the events that catch us off guard.  He is not weakened by our questions, our doubts, or our fears. 

The perfect Savior God provided in Jesus Christ does not meet us at salvation and leave us.  Instead, He is constantly interceding on our behalf.  He is not our last resort, He is our only resort.    

The Gospel of Mark paints a beautiful portrait of the Savior.  We see Him walking with the disciples, teaching through parables, and healing a host of what the world saw as hopeless causes.  Only days later, while His footsteps were still fresh along the sandy paths of Galilee, the disciples found themselves in a storm.  They frantically fought the winds and waves while Jesus slept in the boat.  

Although they had eye witnessed His miracles, this storm rattled their faith.   Scripture records their awe as Jesus spoke, "Peace, be still," and instantly the winds and waves obeyed. 

This same Jesus who calmed the raging sea can certainly bring peace to your life storms.  Your circumstances are no match for His strength.  Your hopelessness holds no power against His peace.  Your trembling fear can never weaken that hand that holds your eternity.  

He longs for you to call out to Him.  He longs to build your faith, to strengthen your prayers, to create a hunger in you for His living word.  He longs for you to see Him more clearly than your circumstances; He is waiting for you realize your need for Him is greater than your need for money, or health, or human relationships.