PEACE BE STILL

It's hard to even listen to the news anymore. It comes to us in so many ways that we feel like it is a storm we're caught up in, and it's about to sink our boat. The news that is close to home___ of loved ones and friends and the events and circumstances of their lives, of how they can hardly cope or endure the hardships, of loss and merciless grief, sorrow and pain. The storm tide of crime that is entrenched in our communities, and governing, all the way to the White House. Whether it's a thug or a dirty politician, a thief or a corporate bail out at the expense of the innocent___we're all in the boat, but it's those who have caught site of what first, might seem like a ghostly glimmer of hope, a vague remembering of faith's optimistic reach, that will come to find the peace that the world cannot give.
I love this picture of Christ walking upon the stormy sea. The storm is having its effect even upon Christ. Christ the man, though he is walking on the water, is drenched by the storm. It is his confidence in WHO HE IS that allows him to walk where ever his Father leads and guides, or STANDS FIRM in his faith, in any situation he finds himself.
Has he come to you in your distress, walking upon the storm that is raging around you___in your self, your home, your job, your finances___what ever it may be___does Christ seem but a ghostly glimmer of hope, just out of reach. You want to step out, to believe that you can believe___well, first of all, you will be loved the same, whether you step out of your boat or not. You, and you alone, must make that choice to step out in faith, believing that just as the boat is being tossed in the storm, the storm itself is being tossed. What remains is Christ and where the eyes of your faith are focused. It's not whether you are in the boat waiting for Him to save you, or you taking that first step of focused faith in recognizing the power of God's will and purpose in all circumstances of our lives___It's surrendering to the workings of His will. Just as we cannot calm the storm, we cannot always control the storms that effect our lives.___
Christ will come___He is come___to each of us, just within reach. An though our hearts may be overcome with doubt and fear, though it may even condemn us in our lack of faith. He remains faithful. He cannot deny himself___you are his, he is not willing that you will perish.____ In Him you shall Live ! "Peace be Still"