"Christ has not promised us that He will calm every storm in life. But if we come to Him in the midst of our storms and worries, He can calm US. As we battle the winds and the tossing waves, below the raging currents of the surface waters can be an unbroken calm of the heart.
"Psychologists and medical people offer us fine tools for relaxation, excellent ways for unburdening ourselves; but only prayer can bring true peace of soul. A calm heart mirrors heaven." ( in "Prayer That Relieves Stress and Worry)
Picture Jesus, asleep in the bottom of the boat during a fierce storm, and you are there with Him in that boat. His terrified disciples wake him up. Responding immediately to them, He gets up, rebukes the wind, and the wind ceases. Then He says to the sea "Peace! be still." The waters become calm. Next, He turns to his frightened followers, His bright gaze intent upon their faces. "Why are you afraid?" He says. "Have you still no faith?" Then He turns to you, and you are awed by both his love and his power. "Why are you afraid?" he says directly to you. "Have you still no faith?" (Mark 4: 35 - 41.)
Whenever our lives are battered and buffeted by stormy weather, we can prayerfully ask Jesus to calm the resulting storms of worry, agitation, fear, and anxiety that besiege us. He will immediately listen to us. If Jesus can calm violent storms at sea, He can calm the storms of our hearts. He will say to our minds and hearts "Peace, be still." He will encourage us to have faith and trust that He will bring good out of whatever situation is afflicting us.
But once those inner and outer storms are over, or beginning to lessen, our relationship with Jesus can slowly, subtly begin to change. We can suddenly begin to hear other words He has spoken, and hear them in a new way.
Deacon Eddie Ensley tells the story of an acquaintance of his, Angela, who lost her mother and her niece in a car accident. At first, her grief was overwhelming. Nothing and no one was able to comfort her. Eventually she was able to pray again, and then daily she prayerfully read the Scriptures, talked to and with God, and took time for quiet, silent prayer. Two years went by. The worst of her outer and inner storms were over.
Then, suddenly, her prayer life went dry, almost into a "holding pattern." She began to feel apprehensive. What was happening? She realized that something was missing from her life, but she wasn't sure what it was. Was God calling her to something more? One morning, she read one of her favorite comforting Scripture passages: Matthew 11: 28-30:
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Formerly when Angela prayed with this passage, the words that leapt from the page and comforted her were "I will give you rest." How often over the last two painful years had she been able to lie like a child at rest in her Heavenly Father's arms!
But today, different words lit up in her soul: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me."
Deacon Ensley tells us:
"'What is Christ's yoke for me?' she thought. It was a moment of insight. During months after the accident, her mind had necessarily been focused on her own need and her family's need for comfort and recovery. Now something different intruded. It was time to move beyond her loss, and to follow Christ anew in discipleship....
"The Greek word that is translated 'easy,' chrestos, means 'well-fitting.' The yokes in Jesus' day were made to fit the ox. A carpenter (and Jesus would know this, because he WAS a carpenter!) would hew each yoke to fit a particular animal so that the yoke would not hurt the ox or cause sores. It was tailor-made, so to speak.
"Similarly, when we let Christ life our burdens, when we journey into His rest, we are invited to take up His work with and for Him, to live our lives for Him, to go out of ourselves and love and serve others. His call upon us is unique."
Angela remembered another Scripture passage, the story of Jesus washing His disciples' feet in humility and service, and then inviting them to serve others as He had served them. She prayed "Lord, you have been washing my feet, now it's time for me to begin ministering to those who need comfort, in the way you have comforted me."
She began by visiting a neighbor, who had just lost her sister. Then she talked to her Pastor about beginning a grief support group. She was a social worker, and her background had given her skills to lead such a group. Her Pastor immediately said "yes." Angela's mind became focused on others. Gradually she noticed new joy and contentment stealing back into her life like rays of Springtime sunshine.
So often we think of Jesus with the stormy waters of the lake that He sailed on with his disciples, that He calmed with a word, that He even walked on. But there is also the calming, comforting water that He uses to wash the feet of His disciples, water that refreshes them. Water can also be healing, like hot water cascading over your tired muscles in the shower, water that worked like balm on the tired, aching feet of Jesus' disciples. Jesus calls himself Living Water. He is healing, refreshment, and balm for our souls! And He asks us to serve others as he served his disciples by washing their feet with healing, refreshing water. He asks us, as he asked them, to BECOME healing, refreshing water in others' lives.
"Jesus kneels down in front of you. Slowly He takes off your shoes and your socks. He begins tenderly washing your feet with the towel and basin of warm water. The soft, warm touch of the towel on your feet becomes a conduit of Jesus' love for you. That love softens your heart, reminding you how special you are to Jesus.
"When He finishes, Jesus stays there for a few moments in the stillness. Let that stillness sink deep within you. Then He says to you, almost in a whisper: 'I have set you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.' Then He stands, hands you the basin and the towel, and steps aside." (Ensley)
"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Proverbs 11: 25.
Have you come to a calmer time in your life? Have you passed through raging waters of the sea, and have not drowned? Have you experienced, and been refreshed by, God's comfort and rest?
Have you also felt a probing, a pulling in your prayer, as if you need more in your life? Jesus has given you rest, and now it may be time for you to take His yoke upon you, the yoke that He has prepared especially for you. This yoke is the way that you can serve Him by serving others, people whom you, because of your gifts and skills, but also because of your wounds, are called by Jesus to specifically serve. Who are they? Ask Him to show you. Be generous. Become Living Water and refresh others.