Friday, October 13, 2006

Smiling at the storm


Storms are awesome natural phenomena. Chaotic and powerful, destructive yet strangely beautiful, storms can inspire fear.

Does your life look as if it is in the middle of a storm now?


Are there flashes of lightning around you and does the noise of rolling thunder deafen you?


Do you feel tossed and battered?


At the moment, on my journey with the Lord Jesus, I feel buffeted by strong winds and can almost feel the streaks of lightning descend upon me. Yes, the storm is raging around me, it can be imposing, overwhelming even ... but ...

I remember this Sunday School song. The Lord Jesus Himself reminded me:


With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm,

Smile at the storm, smile at the storm,

With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm,

As we go sailing home ...


The event of storms in a Christian's life are the norm. Our Lord Jesus Himself stated in John 16:33 that we, His children will go through troubles, trials, temptations, etc ... However, He finishes by saying 'But take heart! I have overcome the world'. Truly, with Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm.

Our Lord controls all things, there is nothing He cannot do. As Jesus calmed the storm in Matthew 8:23-27, so He can calm the storms in our lives.

Remember, our Lord Jesus allows things to happen for His reasons, and His reasons are always perfect.

I am comforted and encouraged.

To the storms of this world, I say 'Bring it on. The Lord Jesus is on my side. I will smile, laugh, sleep, rejoice in the storms', for I know who travels with me right through the storm. Jesus ...

The sunday school song ends with ...


Sailing, sailing home,

Sailing, sailing home,

With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm,

As we go sailing home.



Are you in the midst of a gale?

Do not fear, fret or wail,

Remember who travels with you,

Our Lord Jesus, faithful and true.

- Ken -


To Jesus, our Lord be all glory and honour and praise.

2 comments:

Jaya said...

His Billows

They are God's billows, whether they go over us
Hiding His face in smothering spray and foam,
Or, smooth and sparkling, spread a path before us,
And to our haven bear us safely home.

They are God's billows, whether, for our succour,
He walks across them, stilling all our fear,
Or to our cry there comes nor aid nor answer,
And in the lonely silence none is near.

They are God's billows, whether we are toiling
Through tempest-driven waves that never cease,
While deep to deep with clamor loud is calling,
Or at His word they hush themselves in peace.

They are God's billows, whether He divides them,
Making us walk dry shod where seas had flowed,
Or lets tumultuous breakers surge about us
Rushing unchecked across our only road.

They are God's billows, and He brings us through them;
So has He promised, so His love will do;
Keeping and leading, guiding and upholding,
To His sure harbor, He will bring us through.

Annie Johnson Flint
(Psalm 42:7-8,11)

Ken said...

Jaya,

That is cool.

God bless you.