Faith During the Storm

It took many years for me to understand the deeper meaning of Mark 4:35-41, Jesus calming the storm.  I understood that the passage correlated with faith so I interpreted it dealing with life's calamities.  It wasn't until this morning reading this that I figured it this message was for me. In midst of my daily struggles I become the disciples. I overreact to what appears to be a storm and that I might perish or give up control to something or someone. "Teacher, do you not care." although not my words as I may be too self-absorbed to contemplate such a saying.  However, Jesus reply to the sea which symbolically is my own desire to control situations is "Quite! Be still!" It is this very reply that I need to hear or better yet be open to when the waves become violent, throwing me asunder, tossing me off the boat of life. Having recognition of this I will better understand that it is He, not I that control my destiny. Having the faith of Abraham to the point of not knowing where I am going shall guide me to the final destination as Paul alludes to in Hebrews 1:2-9. Being obedient to the message is my struggle.

The Call

As we reflect on today's readings it is clear that the message resonates with a call. That call seems to be an imperative and requires action.  Whether it is Jonah wandering through Nineveh, Paul's proclamation to the Corinthians or Jesus proclaiming the Gospel in Galilee there is a call. Repentance is the answer.  The people of Nineveh heeded the call to conversion of heart when their immediate future was at stake. Paul uses similar words in saying that "the world in its present form is passing away. Simon and  Andrew leave their life-long work as fisherman as do James and John.  Their immediate actions of leaving both their work and families behind may seem a bit extreme, but the message is there, "Come after me." Looking at this in today's world is difficult. Take for example Andrew and Simon. They may have been hard workers and in today's terms married to their work, but they chose a new calling. Are you married to your work? Is it your life, your identity, your pride? Having struggled with this myself, I increasingly try to allow Jesus guide me in this area, consecrating each day to him, attempting to follow his call. The call to repent follows me as well. There are plenty of areas in my life which require reflection and the willingness to change. This only comes with God's infinite grace.  Yes time is of the essence and I must take Jonah's and Paul's words seriously if I am to answer that call. May the Grace of of our Savior provide you with that call.

Update

I apologize for the lack of posts as my  job as a teacher requires a significant amount of time and energy dedicated the task of grading as well as preparation. I hope with renewed spirit and the grace provided by God to be more frequent in my posts.

Yours in Christ

Chris

Baptism

What can be more frightening than being submersed under water and the feeling of drowning? Having had an experience of being momentarily helpless in a pool after an awkward dive I can recall of being weighted down. Jesus when baptized by John the Baptist descended into the waters although completely sinless must have had that momentarily feeling as well. What can we take from this event? Being helpless underwater can symbolize our life when it is devoted to the material world. We are constantly battling for air and at times can be weighed down by our propensity to sin and the underlying guilt of those actions that wraps itself around us and keeps us submerged. On the other hand visualize Christ coming up from the waters, getting the breath of fresh air, of life, of renewal. That is what we can experience when we allow ourselves to be guided by our Savior.  We are no longer weighted down by the turbulence of the current under water, but conversely we can grab onto the One that will guide us down the river of life as we submit to His will. In the words of the Baptist " He must increase; I must decrease."