Storm
So they're predicting another winter storm. Will it go around us? Will it hit us? Will we get three inches of snow or six...or sleet and ice...or...? We won't really know until it hits, of course, how bad it is nor how long it might take us to dig out. It might slow life down, or it might have no effect at all.
Whenever something like a winter storm is predicted, you can count on people lining up at the grocery store buying the staples—bread, milk, eggs, orange juice, toilet paper—whatever they think they might need to get by for a few days. Gotta make sure we're ready for the storm. Gotta make sure we have enough supplies on hand.
So why don't we do that in our spiritual lives? Because Scripture promises us storms will come. They will, and often unexpectedly. Just like the demonic storm that came upon Jesus and the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, storms will surprise us. There are no "spiritual meteorologists" who can predict with any level of accuracy when the next crisis or storm will come into our lives.
But we're most often unprepared. And when the storm hits, we wonder why it's so hard. Why is our spiritual energy so depleted? Why do we find it so hard to recover? In my own life, it's because I fail to adequately "stock up" through prayer and Scripture reading and sabbath rest and just constantly connecting with God. My prayers too often focus on the now, the what's happening currently, and once I get through my "list," I'm off to do other things.
That's not the model Jesus put before us. Jesus prayed even when there were no storms. Jesus studied the Scriptures even when there wasn't a crisis. He often withdrew to the lonely places to pray, early in the morning. He knew the Scriptures. And when the storm came, he was able, without being thrown off, to stand up and tell the storm, "Be muzzled!" And the disciples—and us—are amazed. How can he do that?
This Lent, I'm seeking to "stock up," to pray with a broader vision and longer gaze. I want to be ready when the storms come. Because the only thing we know for sure is that they will come. In fact, it's starting to rain now...I knew I should have gotten milk last night!
Whenever something like a winter storm is predicted, you can count on people lining up at the grocery store buying the staples—bread, milk, eggs, orange juice, toilet paper—whatever they think they might need to get by for a few days. Gotta make sure we're ready for the storm. Gotta make sure we have enough supplies on hand.
So why don't we do that in our spiritual lives? Because Scripture promises us storms will come. They will, and often unexpectedly. Just like the demonic storm that came upon Jesus and the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, storms will surprise us. There are no "spiritual meteorologists" who can predict with any level of accuracy when the next crisis or storm will come into our lives.
But we're most often unprepared. And when the storm hits, we wonder why it's so hard. Why is our spiritual energy so depleted? Why do we find it so hard to recover? In my own life, it's because I fail to adequately "stock up" through prayer and Scripture reading and sabbath rest and just constantly connecting with God. My prayers too often focus on the now, the what's happening currently, and once I get through my "list," I'm off to do other things.
That's not the model Jesus put before us. Jesus prayed even when there were no storms. Jesus studied the Scriptures even when there wasn't a crisis. He often withdrew to the lonely places to pray, early in the morning. He knew the Scriptures. And when the storm came, he was able, without being thrown off, to stand up and tell the storm, "Be muzzled!" And the disciples—and us—are amazed. How can he do that?
This Lent, I'm seeking to "stock up," to pray with a broader vision and longer gaze. I want to be ready when the storms come. Because the only thing we know for sure is that they will come. In fact, it's starting to rain now...I knew I should have gotten milk last night!
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