Welcome to Facets of Faith, a space where three friends get together each month and explore topics of faith, friendship, and fun. I don’t know how it’s been in your part of the world but here in New England, we’ve had our share of rain. So what better question to explore than what helps you sing in April’s showers? Check out what Tracy and Jen shared earlier this month. I’m (Kim) so excited to introduce you to one of my New England friends in a couple of days. But for now, it’s my turn.
THE WIND
They were tired —bone-weary. Not only was it incredible work to serve thousands of people a meal, but they were still considering all they had seen. Basket after basket, there seemed to be a never-ending supply of bread and fish, enough to feed thousands of men, women, and children who sat to hear him speak.
And then it was time to go. Jesus said to his disciples that he would dismiss the people and then steal away to be alone to pray. He told them to get in the boat that bobbed by the shore and he would meet up with them later.
Peter and the others push off their boat from the edge of the shore and began the trek across the Sea of Galilee. Quiet at first, each man pondered the events of what they’d witnessed. Lost in their thoughts, serving the meal felt surreal, like a dream even though they saw the satisfied souls eat their fill with their own eyes.
Suddenly Peter’s cloak whipped about him. The wind picked up as their boat dipped and rose with the waves. Spray from the waves smacking against the boat soaked their clothes. Disoriented, they struggled to maintain the course as fear ignited their souls.
Waves crashed against one side of the boat causing it to dangerously sway and tip. Then smashed from the right, the boat rocked the other way, almost as if the waves and wind were playing a game —a deadly one. The disciples worked together to make their way through the storm, but no amount of striving or struggling could set their boat straight.
WHEN STORMS SOAK OUR FAITH
I’m not a fan of storms. The rain doesn’t bother me as much as the wind that blows through trees as it wipes the remnants of winter away. Here in New England, just as in the Midwest where I lived most of my life, gusts reach 30, 40, even 50 mph blowing over trees and knocking out power.
As I read the events of the disciples crossing the stormy sea, I find kindred spirits as they fought. The striving to keep their boat moving forward —I imagine them calling out to each other, yelling at what needs to be done next.
How often when I’m faced with a storm in my life, I take in the details, assess the situation, and then figure out what I can do to make everything better, to fix the problem —or at least what I perceive that problem to be. I bark orders to those around me, determined to control every drop of conflict toward the outcome I think should occur.
I.
I will fix.
I will fix my problem.
And then I fall in exhaustion as I utterly miss the point.
On my own, I am helpless against the storms. In my striving, I become exhausted and overwhelmed with worry. Disappointment, discouragement, and disenchantment threaten to knock my faith out from under me, soaking me in sorrow.
HOPE BREAKS THROUGH
I imagine the utter exhaustion the disciples felt as the boat tipped and swayed at the mercy of the wind and the waves. What kinds of questions rolled through their minds?
When will this end?
Why is this happening . . .now?
Will we make it?
Where is he . . .
Oh, how often those same questions tumbled and twisted in my mind as the storms of life swirled all around me. The wind wails, drowning out my hope.
And yet . . .
How often I forget truth I’ve learned through other storms, darker monsoons that about destroyed everything. I forget the truth the disciples didn’t see but Scripture declares for us.
He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and the waves.” Mark 6:48a, NLT
Jesus saw the disciples —he knew they were in trouble as they struggled. So often as the darkness of a spring storm unleashes on us, we feel alone, isolated, wondering if the God of the universe even notices our little lives.
He does. “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.” Psalm 139:2-3, NLT
And not only does he see us, He also draws near.
About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on water.” Matthew 14:25
In fact, the very purpose of Jesus’ life was to draw us into a relationship with his Father. Through his death, he paid the penalty our sins deserve, once and for all. And through his resurrection, he conquers death, our greatest enemy. It is by him and through him that we have life and breath no matter the storm that threatens us.
He is our hope.
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:19, NLT
And he knows our frailty.
TAKE COURAGE, HE IS HERE
He knows we fear and fret what we cannot see, even when what we cannot see is the very One who silences the storms.
. . .but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said. ‘Take courage! I am here!’ Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed.” Mark 6:49-51, NLT
How do we learn to sing in April’s showers? We take courage —we take courage not only because we are seen and loved by the One who sustains us, but because he tells us to.
We learn to sing as the rain falls because He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and doesn’t leave us to flounder in the elements on our own.
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.” Psalm 126:5
We learn to sing because Jesus rescued us —first from sin and death, and then from the muck and mire left by the storms of life.
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, our of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3, NLT
And that is a reason to sing.
What helps you sing in April showers? We’d love for you to join the conversation either by posting below or joining us on our Facebook page.
