There Is Purpose in the StormSampel

The Suddenly Storm

“There are some things we learn on stormy seas that we never learn on calm, smooth waters. We don't look for storms, but they will surely find us. The "God of the Storm" has something to teach us, and His love always drives His actions.” Danny L Deaubé

As I am writing this plan at this moment in April  2020, the whole world is facing a storm—it’s called COVID-19—a pandemic of epic proportions. It would appear in the last decade God was sowing many seeds in our hearts in preparation for this crisis or so one might think. The disciples were sitting under the teachings of Rabbi Jesus for many months, gleaning new truths about an amazing Kingdom to come. The disciples in the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark chapter 4, and our new year of 2020, almost seem like the same scenario is being replayed.

We have been feeding and feasting on the Word of God, having high expectations because of the potential contained within the seed of the Word, and I can genuinely tell you I was super excited to cross over from the last decade to this one. The hope, joy, and anticipation of the newness of life; the next level of faith; the recovery of all that was lost to the enemy in the last decade—all seem to be within reach. I am sure after such powerful sessions with Rabbi Jesus, going to the other side looked like no big deal to the disciples because the one who was teaching them all this time was actually on the boat with them. Does this all sound familiar to you? Can you identify with this scenario? I know I can. 

The story tells us the disciples begin their journey with a prophetic word from Jesus to go to the other side, but then something unusual happens.  Can you guess? Yes! A storm! The bible says, “Suddenly, as they were crossing the lake, a ferocious tempest arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was all but swamped.” - Mark 4:37 - TPT. 

This storm sure sounds exactly like how COVID-19 appeared on the scene of our lives —suddenly and ferocious, out of nowhere, and I can honestly say for some of us we did not see this coming just like the disciples did not expect that storm of such epic proportion. All of a sudden, the confidence, calm, peace, and joy was sucked out of the lives of the disciples. They struggled to steady the boat, pull the sails, and dump the waters that seemed to be endless out of the boat. Suddenly a comfortable and controlled atmosphere and the environment get turned upside down, and everything about faith and God’s Word and promises goes out with the wind. I know by now you can truly identify with all of this. 

Suddenly we went from freedom to come and go as we pleased to being shut in our homes as a precaution to slow the spread of this deadly virus. Grocery shopping and buying medicine are the only valid reasons to be out, and even so, we are warned to exercise social distancing. Human contact, the one thing that causes us to be a community, has become the one thing that proves detrimental at this time. It is also in this “suddenly” that we get a glimpse of what is hiding in our hearts. And for the first time, while facing this storm, I can finally empathize with the disciples in this story rather than judge their lack of faith. While we may not like this storm, and while it has done significant damage, the storm truly allows us to take stock of our hearts and approach this “suddenly” differently.