Calmer of the Storm
The Bible uses two images when talking about human condition: deserts and storms. The first one relates mostly to spiritual dryness, whereas storm reflects a struggle, unease with a situation. In recent conversations with some of you, I described the latest events in my life as a being in the middle of the storm. When people decide to go out sailing they make sure the weather will be beautiful, they plan everything. On Matthew 8:23-27, the Bible tells us the story of how the disciples and Jesus were caught at sea by a storm. I'm pretty sure that if they knew something like that could happen, they will never have set sail. Interestingly, we find our self in similar situation. Our plans are set, our goals lined up, ready to be accomplished and in a blink on an eye we have a Hurricane category 5 rocking our life. Reading the story in Matthew, I could not pass by the idea of seeing Jesus sleeping in the middle of the storm and having the same feeling in my life. The question that quickly came to mind was whether He cares for me? Now, that my storm had calm down I can say that He cares for me! I'm His child! Trying to make sense of this experience, these verses from a song of Downhere and a Puerto Rican singer got stuck in my head.
There on the storm I am learning to let go
Of the will that I so long to control
There may I be in your arms eternally
I thank you, Lord, you are the calmer of the storm
puedes tener paz, en la tormenta / you can have peace in the storm
fe y esperanza cuando no puedas seguir / faith and hope when you can't go on
aun con tu mundo hecho pedazo / even with you world in pieces
el Seor guiara tus pasos / the Lord will guide you steps
en paz en medio de la tormenta / in peace in the middle of the storm
Oh how hard is to let go? Control freaks like me often find our self telling God what to do in our life or even worst, keeping Him away from our plans. And just like that, we find our self in a storm.
I still don't have an answer for the why Jesus was sleeping in such conditions. Maybe He is trying to teach us that His presence is enough. Probably that's why Jesus called the disciples man of little faith. So next time you get caught in a storm remember that as long as Jesus is sailing with you, do not fear, because He is the Calmer of the Storm!
(Javier)
