Master of the wind and waves

MOVEMENT 1
Storms of the past

Read Matthew 8:23-27 NIV  

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 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. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Reflect

As we reflect, we can all surely remember storms in our lives. There were times when we felt like we could not keep our heads above water. Those times when it felt like everything was crashing in. Those times when we felt hopeless and like we didn’t know where to turn. Just as we can reflect and remember those hard times, prayerfully we can also see Jesus right beside us in the storm. He’s always with us, and he never forsakes us. 

Focus on one particular storm in your past and see Jesus right there with you in the chaos. Where is He? What is He doing? How is He protecting and providing? 

Pray
Take time to thank Him for his presence, action, and provision during this storm.

MOVEMENT 2
But Jesus was sleeping...

Read Matthew 8:23-27 MSG

Then he got in the boat, his disciples with him. The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. Waves were crashing into the boat—and he was sound asleep! They roused him, pleading, “Master, save us! We’re going down!” Jesus reprimanded them. “Why are you such cowards, such faint hearts?” Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down: “Silence!” The sea became smooth as glass. The men rubbed their eyes, astonished. “What’s going on here? Wind and sea stand up and take notice at his command!” 

Reflect
I find it interesting and a bit hard to believe that Jesus was sleeping during this storm. Different translations of Matthew 8 describe this storm as furious, fierce, severe, and violent. It tells us that waves were sweeping over and crashing into the boat. As we picture this chaotic scene in our minds, it is hard to imagine how anyone could sleep through it! It even says the disciples had to wake Jesus up. Why wasn’t He bothered by this storm? 

What we must remember is that Jesus is the creator of this storm and all of its parts. With just a word, He spoke the wind, clouds, waves, thunder, lightning, and rain into existence. They were all subject to this voice. He is also the Prince of peace. The creator of Shalom. The author of calm. You see, He knew the storm would come, He knew how intense it would be, and He knew the end results. His perspective of this storm was much different than ours. 

Pray

Omnipotence is the characteristic of God displaying his unlimited power. Take time now to meditate on this attribute of our God. Where have you seen this displayed in your life? What did that situation look like? Praise Him and give him glory for His omnipotence displayed in your past, in your present, and for how He will display it in your future.

MOVEMENT 3
Current Storms 

Read John 16:33 NIV 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Reflect
Even though it is broken, Jesus, the Prince of peace, wants us to experience peace in this world. He made it clear that we would experience trouble, heartache, and sadness here. But the story doesn’t end there. He reminds us that he has overcome the world. He knows the storms that are coming, and he knows the exact words to say to rebuke the winds and calm the waves.  

The question is, do we believe this? Do we have faith that He is who He says He is and that He owns the attribute of omnipotence? Or do we have faint hearts?   

Pray
Think about a current storm in your life. Picture Jesus sleeping beside you. Remember, He’s not sleeping because He’s oblivious or because He doesn’t care about your situation. He’s sleeping because He’s not bothered by the storm. However, He loves you and cares about you and how you feel during the storm. Touch Him gently and wake Him. Bring the storm of your life before Him and lay it at His feet. Trust in His omnipotence. Hear His voice calming your storm. Watch the winds die down and the waves become as smooth as glass. Sit in the stillness with your God and ask Him to increase your trust and faith in Him and bring you His peace.