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Sunday, May 9, 2010

WHY? Just wondering Lord, that's all.

The other day I was just thinking through stuff and found myself pretty frustrated.
I asked God a lot of "whys".

In the sermon today, pastor Bruce talked about storms based on Matthew 8:23-27.
He reminded us that in this walk with Jesus, storms are going to come.
He made two points:
*Storms are a natural part of our journey.
*Storms can cause panic.

We see that in this passage in Matthew with the disciples starting with verse 24.
Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.
But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"


Can you even imagine what it was like in that boat?
Yes, we can.

~Last May when Candice lost her young daughter Charity to cancer, she was in that boat.
~Last December when Mel lost her twelve year old son Andrew to brain cancer she was in that boat.
~Or recently as my friend E'Lise shed tears over her little sister as she watches her fight another battle against her body with cancer.
~Or when my sister in law Gwen who after her husband Sam had a stroke that left him disabled, was forced to put her husband in a nursing home, long before they are even retirement age so she could still work.
~Or Lisa, wife and mom just starting radiation to fight her cancer. (Her picture is on my sidebar)
~Or my friend Alethea, single mom and sole supporter of her 2 boys who lost her secure job.
There are women all over the place enduring some furious storms.

I loved how Pastor Bruce said it today..."Um, excuse me, I did not sign up for this. I signed up for two things...sins are forgiven and heaven is my home".
We do not want our boats to rock.
We want to listen to our Christian music channels and go to church each weekend and shout out a few Amen's during the sermon, but do not rock the boat.


But the truth is, the boat is going to rock.
We are going to find ourselves in a storm.
Storms that are furious with waves crashing over us like the disciples experienced.
There will be storms.



So going back up to the verse above, did you notice the middle part...
But Jesus was sleeping.


I love how the Message Bible puts it:
Then he got in the boat, his disciples with him.
The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm.
Waves were crashing into the boat—
and he was sound asleep!
They roused him, pleading, "Master, save us! We're going down!"

Do you ever feel like that?
You're freaking out, JESUS! SAVE ME...I'M GOING DOWN!
Or pleading on behalf of your loved one dying...JESUS!!!! PLEASE!!
And nothing. No response at all.
Could He possibly be sleeping right through the storm of your life?
What the heck??
Ever ask "why" like I did last week?


Our storms are going to come.
How will we respond when we think Jesus has forgotten all about us?
When we think the Captain of our boat is asleep?
In the sermon the pastor also reminded us that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us.
Never.


Last week on my way home from my day job, God gave me the answer to my "why" questions.
While driving down South Street, I looked up to see this billboard for dairy products...







TRUST IN THE NAME


Today, in the storm our family is in...I will trust in the Name of Jesus.

Whatever storm you are facing, whether it's one that can tear your boat to shreds or a small one, you choose to just
Trust In The Name.

Trust, even when it feels like Jesus is sleeping, because just like He did with the disciples,
He will bring calm.

I love this song, but if you can't listen to it, just mute it and read the lyrics that are typed out.
My favorite line is:
He has a reason for each trial
that we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
we cannot be pulled apart from Christ.


TRUST IN THE NAME
The powerful Name of Jesus.



Another incredible song about praising God in the storms is by Casting Crowns...

12 comments:

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

His name is powerful and eternal. We can trust in His name. We can brave the storms in boat even when we think we might drown. Why? because of His Name. :)

Great post.

Vickie said...

Lelia this is such a powerful post. Above His name there is no other name. If we could come to the realization that EVERYTHING WE NEED OR WILL EVER NEED CAN BE FOUND IN THE NAME OF JESUS. O that we would trust His name.

How I love the name of Jesus.

This post makes my feel like it would burst out of my chest. Thank you for it.

Blessings,
Vickie

Andrea said...

Praying I will have faith that does NOT waver during those storms. It is soooo hard, sometimes!
Hugs, andrea

PS: How is our precious Hope?

Samantha said...

This is exactly what I needed to hear today. So well-spoken and powerful.
Thanks for this post!
- Samantha

Tammy said...

Trust in the Name...Amen!

love and hugs(a big one)
Tammy

Sita said...

needed this...storms is raging..waves are hitting...Jesus, speak into my storm..
thank you, Lelia...

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

And what a name it is... Just saying it brings me peace.

Jesus.

Speak his Peace this day, Lelia.

~elaine

Wanda said...

Such words of wisdom.

HisPrincess said...

Thanks Lelia...our community is weathering a storm right now and it's nice to be reminded where my anchor is!

Yolanda said...

I've been thinking a lot about storms myself. And how some brew and brew, and others are here in an instant.

I'm so thankful that He is always with me, no matter the size or length of a storm.

Love YOU!

Unknown said...

I like your site.

We have been in storm that will never leave us until we see Jesus. We lost our son Joshua. He was only 16. It was November, 2003. My mind comprehends the time that has passed, but my heart hasn't and won't. The only hope we have is Jesus.

dailyseeking said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog; I'm enjoying yours!