In The Storm with Jesus

The stories surrounding us can be deafening. We’re bombarded with messages, notifications and updates which land in our inboxes and hammer our heads and hearts. For us all Covid-19 has propelled us into the unprecedented, the unpredictable, and the unstable. However, as Christ followers, how do we navigate our pathway and discover where He is and what He is doing right now?

I recently had the privilege of preaching in my home church – for our first online service – about Jesus calming the storm. In Matthew 8 it would seem like Jesus’ disciples interpreted his sleeping-silence as his ambivalence to their suffering and a lack of awareness to their imminent demise. Yet in truth, Jesus was sleeping in the boat’s helm because he didn’t share the disciples’ fear.  He cared hugely for them, but He was confident in the Father’s love to such a degree that the storm did not unsettle His peace.

In Matthew’s version of the story Jesus speaks to His disciples before He speaks to the storm. I believe He wants to do that for us, too – in our pandemic storm – to speak of our faith in Him despite the tempest around us and the squalls within.

Sometimes God does not immediately save us from some storms but chooses to meet us in them.  Remember Daniel was not saved from the lions’ den but was saved in the lions’ den. Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego were not saved from the fiery furnace but the Lord joined them in the furnace.

As the world has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and we find ourselves in the midst of this storm, in the heat of this challenge, in the bite of this beast – the Lord longs to be present with us.  He is not sleeping, or keeping his distance. He is not leaving us in isolation. He is not separating from us but wants to reveal himself to us even as we go through this time. We might want to turn the clocks forward and be rescued from this storm but Jesus wants us to know him in this season, too.

As Jesus said to his disciples, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (John 14:21 NLT)

Be encouraged and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus – as you look towards Him, He will keep revealing Himself to you even in this storm, for as long as this season lasts.

Helen Roberts

Leader, Wellspring Church, Watford