Take A Nap!
Abide • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsLearn to Be Still in the face of trouble and trials. Be of courage that God is in Control.
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One time, during a family vacation, we went to a science museum. They had an exhibit on weather and weather related events. My son Gabe loves roller coasters so he was excited to try the earthquake simulator and the tornado wind simulator. I was intrigued and tried them for myself. I found out real quick that I do not like not being in control of my surroundings and probably would not fair well should I experience a serious earthquake or have the building that I am in, severely damaged by a tornado. I don’t think I am alone in this thought. God gave the human race what scientist and psychologist call the “Fight or Flight” reflex. When we are presented with a threat, we will discern the threat quickly and either fight against it, or flee away from it. When it comes to some threats, like natural disasters, this reflex is kind of useless. Thinking about this really puts into perspective those whom have survived such disasters. Not only do we need to help them and serve those who are such situations, but they truly do need our empathy and prayers.
Some of us have experienced what, as a pastor, I call “Crisis Moments”. These moments happen suddenly, are unexpected, and cause lives to be altered. Such moments are the passing of a loved one very suddenly, or the lose of a job when you thought things were going well. It can also happen in times of divorce or separation, particularly for children. Active shooter situations are also crisis moments. And of course, natural disasters fall under this category. In these situations, we lose control of our situation and our surroundings. Nothing is the same and we wonder if we are going to live through this.
So for the past few weeks we have been talking about Sabbath and finding peace and rest in God. Some of us may have discovered that it is harder than we think to truly rest even on good days. So how are we supposed to rest when times of disaster is all around us?
Pray and read Mark 4:35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
This is one of my favorite passages. I like to read it as a movie playing in my mind. So indulge me for a moment as I retell this story. So the disciples and Jesus were tired after a long day of preaching, healing and being present with many people. Brief interlude already; do you know that as soon as I get home from church on Sunday afternoon, I take a nap? Ministry is tiring, it is beautiful and a blessing, but can also make you very tired. So the disciples join Jesus in the boat, which was His platform for preaching that day, and they begin to sail away. They did not have weather reports and meteorologists to predict the coming weather as we do today so they had no clue what was coming. Jesus, remember that He is also fully human, falls asleep in the boat. It is a pretty deep sleep since He had been preaching all day. A windstorm begins on the sea where His boat and the other boats with more disciples were sailing. The winds pick up and the sails were not sustaining. They could not control the motion of the boats and water was breaching every one of them.
There was Jesus in a deep sleep. Nothing could wake Him up. So one of the disciples get upset, but could we blame him? They have seen Jesus save the lives of many and resurrect others. Jesus has healed illnesses and released the demon possessed from captivity. Yet, the very boat that He was on was rocking erratically, and nearing the point of capsizing and He still slept.
In those crisis situations that I mentioned earlier, it is impossible to be at peace. Let’s be real. Again, our basic human instincts kicks in knowing that our lives are in danger. We think about our livelihood, our family, our homes, our responsibilities and then the devastating thoughts of what now? What can I possible do in this situation? Can this situation ever get better?
Many times, the first stage of grief is denial. But it isn’t denial that the tragedy happened, but the racing thoughts of what to do next and how to move forward crowd our mind. We there isn’t much that we can do about the tragedy, or our anxiety doesn’t allow us to even think clearly, are emotions shut down for a time. All of this happens within moments. We break down. If you have ever been in a situation that was truly tragic, it is the moments of crisis that are the hardest to deal with. That is why we say that those who survive the situation are our heroes. They survived! And more so, the most heroic even were able to push through mentally and help those around them survive. We all hope that we would be heroic should we ever be in crisis situation. However, we are only human. Even in our times of crisis, whether they are personal or community impacting, we need our Savior.
In the disciples time of crisis, one of them declare, “Rabbi, don’t you see, don’t you care that we are dying?” Jesus gets us and declares that the storm, “Be still!” “Be at peace.” And that crisis moment was over. Jesus did not prevent the crisis from happening. Crisis moments will happen in our lifetime. Humans face war, natural disasters, unfair treatment, and major loss all the time. We are not promised world peace. But, have faith; we are promised inner peace. Have faith that the One who calms storms, will be with you to give you peace in your storms. Have faith that the world, weather, nations and all things must obey your God. When the storms of life are raging and nothing is going well, it is okay and sometimes even necessary to take a nap. God has you and your situation is under His control.
In all honesty, knowing Jesus, He would have never let their boats capsize. I wonder what would have happened if the disciples also napped through the storm? Sit back and rest for a moment. Let me read to you Psalm 46
To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
In the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
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