Have you heard of storm-chasers? They are people who travel thousands of kilometers hoping to witness a bad storm. The thrill of their life is to see a violent weather storm. Hurricanes, lightening storms, and even hailstorms are exciting for them; but the most thrilling storm of all is the destructive tornado. It is every storm-chaser’s dream. Storm-chasers will camp-out in tornado-prone zones just wishing, waiting and wanting a tornado to strike with deadly force. To see it first hand and to capture it on video is the thrill of a lifetime.
The charm of storms for a storm-chaser might diminish somewhat if a destructive force wrecked their own financial livelihood or resulted in the death of a family member.
Maybe you are experiencing a storm just now. You are not a storm-chaser. In fact, your day is consumed by your desire to escape. You certainly did not go looking for the storm you’re in. You have no desire to stay and watch it take its toll nor would you ever want to see a re-run on video.
Have you heard the story of the Storm-Calmer? It’s an ancient story but not a tale. A young man in His 30’s was sleeping in a boat on a stormy night on Lake Galilee over in Israel. The rest of the crew was terrified as they thought of perishing at sea. Frantically, they wake up the sleeper to tell Him they are perishing.
The sleeper was no Jonah. This sleeper calmly arose and spoke directly to the wind and the waves – the forces of nature.
And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:24
His name was Jesus. You might know Him.
The boat arrived at the other side of the lake and this same man in His 30’s encountered another storm. This time the storm was raging inside one despondent man. It was a destructive force and the tormented man was almost destroyed. But the Storm Calmer arrived at the right time and spoke peace to his troubled heart; and as quickly as the sea became placid, his heart too became tranquil. (Luke 8:35) Another storm calmed.
On the heels of that calm, another storm approached the Storm Calmer. This time it was a woman weakened and distraught by her chronic disease. Her twelve years of medical bills had left her in financial ruin and her disease was no better. The raging storm was a disease. Cured, the Storm Calmer told her to go in peace! (Luke 8:48) Another storm calmed.
Perhaps the most hopeless storm of all was the heart-broken Jairus whose only daughter was ill. The Storm Calmer didn’t arrive in time and the little girl passed away. Too late! Or was it? The Storm Calmer arrived on the doorstep. He takes the grief-stricken parents into the girl’s room. Gently, He lifts the hand of the young girl and says: “Child, arise.” And instantly, she bounced out of bed with youthful vigour, ready to have something to eat. (Luke 8:55) Another storm calmed.
The Storm Calmer was in control back then and He still is today.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 5:10-11
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ
Peter Ramsay
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