In the recent calamity that hit the Philippines via typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), I had a few thoughts regarding the storm that just hit us.
We don’t like storms and rightly so because of the damage it creates and the loss of lives that it potentially brings like the recent one we’ve just experience.
But in the middle of the storms of life, there are unseen opportunities that we might miss out on if we’re not aware.
1. OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS THE POWER OF GOD.
When Jesus told the disciples to go with him to go to the other side of the lake, they were met by a “furious squall.” It was so bad that the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped.
The disciples asked Jesus, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38)
Did Jesus not care? He can’t NOT care. The Bible says He is love.
At that moment, He got up, rebuked the wind and said, “Quiet! Be still!”
It didn’t even take minutes when the supernatural turn of events happened.
“The wind died down and it was COMPLETELY calm.” (Mark 4:39).
We don’t like storms (in life), but guess what, it is an absolutely amazing opportunity to see God’s power at work.
2. OPPORTUNITY TO WALK ON WATER.
While the passage in Matthew 14 was not at a time when a furious squall was at hand, there were winds and waves.
Jesus, in the middle of the night, was walking on water moving towards the boat of the disciples.
When Peter heard the voice of Jesus saying “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”, he replied by saying, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus told Peter to come and he did walk on water… for a moment.
How come? Because when he saw the winds and the waves, he was afraid and started to sink.
We often sneer at Peter’s experience and jeer at his unbelief. But because of his courage to step out of the boat, he is the only man recorded in history that actually walked on water aside from Jesus.
3. OPPORTUNITY TO TRUST GOD THAT HE IS IN CONTROL.
In the middle of the storm, Jesus was peacefully sleeping. While the disciples were panicking, Jesus was counting Z’s.
The disciples woke Jesus up and told Him, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
Without saying a word, Jesus got up and the Bible says, “He rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.” (Luke 8:24).
After this, Jesus turned to the disciples and asked a simple question, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25).
Storms rock the boat. Storms cause us to panic. Storms put us on unstable footing.
However, when storms come, it is indeed an opportunity to see who is in control because we definitely see that we obviously are not.
Storms are opportunities to witness the power of God, opportunities to walk on water, and to trust that God is in full control.
