Calming the Storm

I have been riveted by the coverage of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac. I have always found such coverage fascinating as experts try to predict the unpredictable. Of course, the fact that within this week we mark the anniversaries of Hurricanes Andrew (20 years) and Katrina (7 years), keeping an eye on Isaac seems to be even more essential in light of our historical knowledge. Isaac might not have packed quite the wallop of an Andrew or Katrina, but it definitely has and will impact landscape and lives forever. The bottom line is, after such a storm, we are forever changed!

Storms of any kind remind us of our vulnerability. Regardless of the knowledge and/or strength we might be blessed with, all we can do in the face of the storm is prepare then sit back and wait. Still, no matter how hard we try and no matter what we do, we are unable to manipulate or change the weather.

During such times, I cannot help but reflect over Jesus. In Matthew 8.23-27, we read about an instance when a storm came upon the Lord and His disciples. The disciples – many of whom seasoned seafarers – were terrified for their safety. Jesus, on the other hand, was fast asleep. The disciples incredulously roused Jesus from his slumber, which prompted Him to speak to them about their faith. Afterwards, and it is important to note that this takes place after his brief mention of faith, Jesus calmed the storm. The lesson to be learned in this is that though Jesus has the ability to calm storms, He is far more concerned with calming those who are enduring the storm.

Enduring and surviving storms changes us. Sure we might have some scars (both real and metaphorical), but as we know from medicine, we are stronger in those areas where we have scars. We might be stronger, sure, but it is also true that we are even more aware of our vulnerability, and that epiphany is rarely fun. Still, this has the potential to help us change our misplaced sense of indestructible self-confidence to a true faith and trust in GOD Almighty! This is no minor shift, my friends! That being said, seeing and sensing a storm on the horizon gives us the opportunity to praise the Lord, because it is in such times that we can see firsthand how He is hard at work!

Are you enduring a storm today? Are you feeling vulnerable by the fact that you cannot control your life circumstances? If you answered yes, then there is no better time to turn to the Lord and allow Him to calm the churning in you, regardless of the churning in nature. If you find that you need help in calming the storm within, I invite you to prayer this prayer with me:

Dear Lord,

I recognize that I cannot control all of my life circumstances, let alone the power of nature. Help me to experience your presence and power and embrace the fact that you are more concerned with calming the storms within me than the storms outside. When I am anxious, give me your calm. When I am restless, give me your peace. When I am lonely, give me yourself. I also pray for those who are living in the midst of life’s storms right now…those actual and those metaphorical. And for those truly in harm’s way, I ask for protection. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Have a great week!

Pastor Mark

Back to School

It's been a busy week so far in the Jordan household. Not only are we trying to get re-acclimated from enjoying some vacation time, but we are back in the rat race as school resumed for Ethan this past Monday. It really can be dizzying going from one week of fun in the sun to the next with alarm clocks, bed times, and homework. We certainly are not alone, however; many families are working to adjust to new routines and responsibilities, and many more will next week as Fayette and other counties join back in with the school fun. 

Something that occurred to me in seeing some of the things that have come home the first couple of days this new school year is that teachers are working to catch the children back up from two-plus months of summer bliss. This is necessary, because no matter how you slice it, review is important. When we are not as engaged in reading, writing, and arithmetic, those skills need to be fine tuned. According to Dr. Harris Cooper, Professor of Psychology at Duke University and the director of the program in education, test scores were, on average, at least one month lower when students returned to school in the fall than when they left in the spring. So over the next couple weeks, as students return to the world of classrooms and textbooks, they will spend some time reviewing the foundational things they will need to remember in order to build upon for the new academic year.

Never having been an educator in the academic sense of the word, I can imagine there are certain advantages and disadvantages to having to spend precious time in reviewing older material. On the other hand, when talking about foundational material, there are some things we will always need to remember, like 1+1 will always equal 2; 'i' always comes before 'e' except after 'c'; and that there are always exceptions to every rule. 

The Apostle Paul was a very intelligent and well educated man. This was an advantage for him as he sought to bring the good news of Jesus to people all over the world. This education could have been a stumbling block for him, however, if he expected everyone to know everything that he knew. Instead, Paul dedicated his life of sharing Jesus to one not-so-little fact, and that is that it all comes back to GOD. In 1 Corinthians 2.1-5, Paul wrote, "When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God."

Paul would never be one to promote forgetfulness, but what he would say is that we need to remember to "keep the main thing the main thing." This is something we all will do well to remember. We must remember that we are called to serve GOD by serving others; to share the love of GOD wherever we go; and shine the light of GOD wherever we are. So while trying to get back into the swing of new routines (even if that is just adjusting to morning or afternoon traffic with school busses), may we remember what Paul told us we must never forget, and that is that GOD so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son -- Jesus -- that whoever believes in Him will never perish but have life everlasting! (John 3:16)

May this season of new beginnings and new opportunities begin by remembering that it all comes back to the love of GOD. When we build our lives on the knowledge of Christ's love, then we will see the world differently, as well as the opportunities that life presents. 

Have a great rest of this first week of school, and if it's your last week of summer, enjoy! Regardless, I hope to see you in worship on Sunday!