Storms of Life

Dear Friend,

I was reading the book of Luke the other day and I came across an incredible scene. My eyes were glued to the bible as I read how Jesus dealt with the storms of life.

Can I encourage you to open your bible to the book of Luke chapter 8:22-40 as I explain why I was so amazed at this story.

The narrative opens with Jesus encouraging his disciples to cross over to the other side. I can imagine their enthusiasm as they launched out especially Peter! To the disciple's dismay they encountered a massive STORM. They naturally become afraid. So would I - at the thought of drowning (Verse 23-24).

I don't know about you, but at this point I would have concluded that I was obviously going in the wrong direction. Many of us often assume that a storm means we are heading in the wrong direction. This is not always the case. In this particular story Jesus told his disciples to go over to the other side.

The scene unfolds as the disciples quickly wake Jesus up from his sleep and observe with surprise as he rebukes the storm. The disciples then do what we all do in a difficult situations. They start asking questions.

Who is this man?

My questions are normally, where is God when I need him? What are your questions during a difficult period?

Do you know who Jesus is when you experience the storms of life? It is wise to ask questions in a storm. We are not called women for nothing. It is however even better to trust God.

Jesus asks the second question.

Where is your faith?

I could never understand this question until I realised that Jesus was asking the disciples where is the trust, hope and faith that they placed in him. Jesus knew that if they lost their faith they would surely drown. Jesus asked them to cross over to the other side and he intended to get them there despite the adverse circumstances.

Where is your hope? (Don't loose it)

The saga continues, as they followed Jesus instructions to cross over to the other side. They eventually reach the other side and they experience a demonic encounter. Will it never end I hear you ask?

Lets see how Jesus dealt with this difficult situation. Here we see Jesus ask the demon the third question

What is your name?

I thought to myself, why would Jesus ask such a question in a storm or during a demonic encounter. It suddenly dawned on me that every situation or storm has a NAME. What is the name of your storm?

Can I ask you to reflect for a moment? What names are clashing with God's plan for your life?

Is it Sickness, Fear, Exams, Unforgiveness, Debt, Stress, Divorce. Whatever situation you are going through has a NAME.

Right before our eyes, Luke chapter 8 displays a clash of names. First we see that Jesus is the son of the most high God. We then see that the demons declare they are called legion because they are many.

Lets not forget that God raised Jesus to the heights of heaven and gave him a NAME that is above every other NAME. So at the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven! Phil 2:9-10

The storm is still not over, when Jesus stepped over to the other side, his mission was to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God. The crowd experienced the kingdom of God. The demon-processed man is healed.

But another NAME called FEAR raised its ugly head. Many of us have experienced fear or anxiety of some sort when we encounter a difficult situation.

Fear caused the people to drive Jesus out (verse 37). I am sure I can hear you say, how could they drive Jesus away after seeing what he did. Can I encourage you not to go down the road of fear and despair?

Fear will cause you to give up. It will cause you to say this is too difficult. And like the crowd, you will not recall the great things that God has done.

Trusting God however will cause you to continue in God's plan for your life. Jesus was not being cruel when he said to the disciples where is your faith. Jesus knew that if they lost their Faith they would drown.

Dear woman, it's not time to give up or loose your faith.

The Final Victory

The crowd sent Jesus away, whilst the demon processed man was sent to proclaim the kingdom of God to his family (verse 39). So he went away proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

The kingdom of God was proclaimed through the healed man. The crowd that sent Jesus away did not know that Jesus would be proclaimed through the demon-possessed man who was now healed.

Despite the storm, the demonic encounter and the horrid feeling of fear. It was mission accomplished for Jesus.

Jesus returns to the other side of the lake (verse 40) the crowd received him with open arms. What a relief I hear you say. JOY AT LAST.

Dear lady, weeping may go on all night but joy will come in the morning - Psalm 30:5

Vivienne Oke

PS:- Don't loose your faith, your joy will surely come.

31 March 2009