The Storm

Olympic gold medalist Laura Wilkinson left a college scholarship, her friends and a life she loved to pursue her sport of platform diving at the highest level.  But shortly before the Olympic trials Laura broke her right foot in three places.

Laura was devastated and felt her world was crashing down around her.  One day she dropped to her knees, letting her crutches fall to the floor as she cried out in tears, "Why?  How can this be good for me?"  Her emotions pouring out through her tears, Laura began thanking God - not because she was feeling happy but because she began to feel His presence in the middle of the storm.

She later reflected, "He never left me.  That is joy.  Choosing God is choosing joy.  He took me broken and tattered physically, mentally and emotionally.  He loved me 'as is.'  He carried me through the storm.  Joy in God, hope in God and love because of God is not fleeting.  It will never leave you, no matter what dreams are broken....No matter what you face, He has overcome the world.  Jesus said, 'In the world, you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world'"  (Jn 16:33).

Whether your storm is a fractured foot, a broken heart, a busted bank account, a derailed career or a shattered dream of any stripe, in Christ you are not alone and Christ is the Master of the storm.  Do you recall the biblical narrative of the disciples navigating a storm in a boat?  "Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!'  He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?'  Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm"(Matt 8:24-26).

The point is that Jesus doesn't promise to take us out of the storm, he promises that he will go with us through the storm.  And as he is the Master of the storm and our lives, we need not be afraid but only trust in him to the end.  We may not be able to see how any good can come of our current situation or how we possibly make it but he promises "I will never leave you" (Jn 14:18) "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28).

Don't focus on the storm.  Focus on the Master of the storm.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and trust in him to see you through.  He is faithful, even when we are struggling in our faith.  Jus' Say'n.