As a faithful follower of Jesus, this is what you need to be able to do: sleep in the storm and calm the storm. You need to be able to rest in the midst of the pressure and then deal with whatever is creating that pressure by standing on the authority God has entrusted to you.”- Banning Liebscher
“Jesus was in the storm, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you car if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”- Mark 4:38-39 (NIV)
As Banning Liebscher continues Chapter 4 of Rooted, he notes that Mark 4:35-40 presents one of the best pictures of what it looks like to live from faith and rest. Yet, for the disciples – and for us – fear and striving represent our default response in pressure situations. Therefore, our learning curve involves (a) unlearning these ingrained responses and (b) learning new responses based on faith and rest. And, God’s gracious to teach us how to respond based on faith and rest.
In addition, Pastor Liebscher discusses two places where we must put our hope to give us confidence to face the storm. He presents the first hope today.
1. We must put our hope in God’s promise to build the house. As God builds our house, He fulfills the vision He placed in our hearts to: (a) make an impact; (b) bear lasting fruit; and (c) step into the fullness of who He created us to be. Furthermore, Banning notes, Psalm 127:1 reminds us that “unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”
In other words, God is the architect. Our job, in turn, involves cooperating with God as He builds both us and our vision. Consequently, when you understand God’s building your house, you enter rest. However, if you believe you’re building the house, you end up fearful and striving.
Today’s question: What Scriptures enable you to both sleep in the storm and calm it? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the new Short Meditation, “Fighting the onslaught of fret”
