The devastation from Hurricane Michael is a reminder of just how quickly a storm can turn our world upside down.  The worst of nature can bring out the best in people.  I watched as the fear of devastation caused the people of Florida to reach out to one another without regard to race, ethnicity, culture or economic status.  It’s a beautiful thing with pictures and stories celebrated on the evening news.  Our nation is hungry to see unity.  A devastating storm can do just that!  It reduces us to a place of helplessness in the shadow of a mighty storm.  It’s a reset button; a re-calibration of our compass.

It reminds me of a story found in the Gospels:

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.  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.  He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”  And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”     Mark 4:35-41

You know this story.  The scene: Jesus and the disciples on board a fishing boat, at night in the middle of the Sea of Galilee.  Note: the Sea of Galilee lies 700 feet below sea level surrounded by highlands & Mount Hermon to the northeast rising to 9,000 feet above sea level.  The cold highland air meets rising hot air from the sea to create huge storms.

The Greek term for “furious squall” is used here to describe a fierce windstorm which literally means “sea quake”.  It was like a hurricane.  The sides of the fishing boat were low and the boat is taking on water.  For the disciples, this was not something they were going to survive.

And of course, Jesus is laying on a cushion, sound asleep.  He is exhausted from a full day of ministry.  With all that’s happening, he’s sleeping like a baby.  Until, of course, the disciples wake him to ask a poignant question: “Don’t you care that we’re going to die”?

God – where are you when I need you?  Don’t you know I can’t pay my bills, keep this marriage together, survive this diagnosis, overcome this depression & anxiety, reconcile with my brother, beat this addiction?  Don’t you see my enemies surrounding me, hear their insults?  Why are you sleeping when I’m on the verge of death?

Fear replaces faith, even when God is so close you can hear him breathe and feel his heartbeat.

Then Jesus, speaks: “Silence!  Be Still!” or literally “be still, and stay still” and nature responds immediately with a great calm.  The fear of the disciples refers to timidity and lack of confidence in God.  But even so, Jesus transformed the great storm into a great calm with a single breath.

But don’t miss the real gut punch here!  After Jesus had calmed the storm and rebuked them for their lack of faith, this happened:

THEY WERE TERRIFIED – literally “they feared a great fear”.  The great storm that Jesus turned into a great calm now led to great fear! “Who is this that even the wind and sea obey him?”

This is the fear which brings a reset and re-calibration.  It’s me and you eclipsed in the sheer magnitude and power of Almighty God.  It’s a fall on your knees and worship kind of fear.  It’s a fear that brings unity, without question or regard.  It’s a fear that melts away all our other fears.

If you find yourself faced with a hurricane, remember: God is in the boat.  But even more so, when He melts the storm away with a word, concede your flesh and ambitions for a place of humility, subjection and submissiveness before the magnitude of who He is!

There’s never been a better place to be before a Holy God!  And just like those scenes from Florida of help, caring and selflessness in the wake of a storm; choose gentleness and kindness as you lead unity in His Church!

Fear can cripple.  Fear can immobilize.  Fear can destroy.

Fear can rob you of the life you were intended to live and blind you from the invitation to live it.  Fear can zap and drain just like the first step I take into the mall (unless there’s an Apple store…of course).  It’s poison to our soul and grounds the spirit that was meant to soar.  And know this – it’s greatest thievery: fear will roadblock your worship and silence your praise.

Fear in itself is a choice.  When I was a kid, it was that which lurks in the dark.  As a teenager, it was rejection.  As an adult, it’s losing control (my family, my health, my home, my savings).  As circumstances of life change, we foresee an impending turn of events that leaves us penniless, homeless and lost at sea.  It could happen, ya know?  When offered the chance to stand for what’s right, we’re passive…for it might bring rejection.  It could happen, ya know?

It’s Mary cowering before Gabriel.  It’s the Hebrews cowering before the giants.  It’s Moses’ stuttering and David hiding in a cave.  It’s all through the Bible and nothing has really changed since.

We’re a fear mongering crew and given the right opportunity we hit the trail…Jack!

We lack courage!  We lack bravery!  We lack the steadfastness and stability of a warrior who stands his ground and never retreats – never gives up.  Overwhelming circumstances only make him stronger.

If looking for a dose of real courage, try these steps:

• Look in: Grasp a real understanding of who you are.  The Bible calls you royalty.  You’ve been given a suit of armor and a sword to do battle. (Ephesians 6)

• Look up: Be strong and courageous for the Lord is with you.  Your strength is not your own nor is it found in you.  If you are filled with the Spirit, wisdom is your guide.  Then and only then will courage lead you in the right direction and not be empowered by ego or spiritual immaturity.

• Look out: See your life, your surroundings through a Biblical perspective.  What do you have to lose? “Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Luke 16:25 & 26

The Bible tells us that we have a battle around us and within us.  We have a formidable enemy who lays traps of fear at every junction of every day.  Yet, the Bible also gives a name of the one we follow: The Lion of Judah.  He is strong, fierce in battle and courageous.

If you’re tired of living an empty life of fear and anxiety…then try a dose of courage.   Stand tall, firm and immoveable.

Tomlin captured it well:

I know Who goes before me

I know Who stands behind

The God of angel armies is always on my side

The One who reigns forever

He is a Friend of mine

The God of angel armies Is always by my side

It doesn’t take long upon picking up the newspaper or turning on Fox/CNN news to see our world is plagued by wars. Conflicts that turn to battles with costly bloodshed are now bolstered to life in widescreen HD images. We can easily see the depravity of man offers only pain, separation, death, destruction and hopelessness. It’s easy to see…to lament and paraphrase our feelings with comments such as “what is this world coming to?”.

Yet the wars raging in this world are simply a symptom. For the greater war is unseen…waged deep within the spirit of each of us. Paul said: “for the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God”. (Romans 8:6-7) Sin in our lives is inevitable. We will sin and we will fall…period! Grace allows us a pathway of conviction, humility, forgiveness and redemption. The Spirit, in contrast…offers LIFE!
But the war within is deceiving all too many – for the truth is: if you are in the flesh…you cannot know, please, worship, study, pray or seek the Father’s presence.
Recently, while speaking about the church, David Platt said: “It is dangerous to give sinful people what they want”.

Sin and direct disobedience to God’s Word has found it’s way into the pews by people who are ravished with Biblical poverty. The war is claiming victims, who in reality, have no idea they have sold out to the possessions of this world and have built an altar of paganism founded on a God of their making…not the Christ of the Gospels.

There’s a war raging…and those closest to the steeples have the most to loose.

There’s a war raging…a war of deception, intrigue and false truths where only God’s Word can bring absolution!

There’s a war raging…and those who seek to give their lives away…will find it!

May we all be challenged by Jesus’ haunting words in Mark 8:36 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet lose His soul”?

Psalm 49:5-9:  “Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. Inescapable victory is offered in surrender and complete resignation to the Lordship of Christ.”

Everyday is a battle…every moment a choice. Deny the flesh…embrace the spirit…and LIVE!

And wow…what a life that is…