“In life, you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or headed into a storm.” Google couldn’t quickly tell me who originally said this, so I’ll have to chalk it up to an anonymous proverb of sorts. Of course, it’s not quite that simple. This side of glory, our lives ebb and flow without the predictability of just one single storm that is either ahead, behind, or among us. Storms are more nuanced than that. Perhaps the career storm is behind you while the marriage storm is raging. Regardless, do you have a place of refuge in the storm?
A few weeks ago in Sunday School, Pastor Matt reminded us to think more critically about what a refuge truly is. It is not simply a shelter. In fact, it is the covering that suffers the wrath of the storm in our place. I find myself losing perspective on both the storm and the refuge far too often. When I was a child, I would “hide” from my parents by simply covering my eyes. Likewise, I too often live as if the storm isn’t there. On the other hand, I sometimes ignore my refuge and act as if I am strong enough to face the storm alone. This too unravels when I realize just how small I am amid the chaos around me.
The Christianity Explored curriculum, which uses the Gospel of Mark as the basis of its evangelistic program, beautifully compares Mark 4:35–41 to Psalm 107:23–31. In his authority, Jesus speaks, and the storm ceases. I’m sure you remember how this confounded his disciples. Several were experienced fishermen, yet the storm was so severe they were convinced they would die. By this time in Jesus’ ministry, they had witnessed his authority over sickness, demons, death, and even heard his pronouncement of forgiveness of sins. But this time their lives were on the line, and their focus was solely on the violence of the storm instead of their Refuge who was sleeping in the stern of the boat.
“Peace! Be still!” What a command that must have been! I wonder how quickly the disciples recalled Psalm 107. To summarize, the psalmist speaks of God raising up a storm fierce enough to melt away the courage of a group of seafaring men. Verse 27 says, “…they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.” Fearing death, they called out to the Lord in their need. “He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed” (v29).
However, rather than Jesus’ disciples responding in joy and praise like the sailors of the psalm, they were filled with fear and were trying to come to terms with who this man truly was. It was not yet time for them to understand the fullness of Jesus’ power and purpose.
Here’s the good news: we now know the fullness of his incredible power and purpose. “Peace! Be still!” applies to the central storm of sin in our lives that separated us from God. Jesus reunites us in peace with God by becoming our perfect and eternal refuge at the cross. Take comfort, friends. The brokenness is made whole, death has perished, and Jesus has given us life and hope!
On behalf of the Session,
Jay