Dark Nights - God's Light

Very few words conjure up the feelings that this simple word does...

Monday.

It's been the subject of many stories and songs over history, it's the day we all associate with having a bad day.

There were a group of men who, despite their commitment, struggled with "Mondays" in life.

But there in the midst of their "Monday", a reminder carried them over the despair...

"Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

If you're like me, you wonder...

...about staving children.

...about Christians in cancer wards.

...about the evil and abuse that took a child's life.

...about why God seems absent when the water is most tumultuous.

Tough Questions. Throw in the towel questions. Questions the disciples must have had in the storm.

All they could see were black skies as they bounced around in the battered boat.

They went to Jesus and woke him up to "do something".

You've been there... "Do Something" Lord. If you don't, well, this isn't going to end the way I was thinking...

Then... Jesus calmed the storm...

"Who is this man?"

He is Jesus.

And he knows... Times get rough. Life gets hard.

But, like the Disciples, we can just turn to him and ask for his help.

We may ask the question these men did, frantically, or we may just whisper a prayer.

But this one thing is sure...

When times get rough and life gets hard. Remember Jesus.

When people won't listen to you and you're ready to quit. Remember Jesus.

When tears are more common than clear eyes. Remember Jesus.

When disappointment is your bed partner. Remember Jesus.

Remember the sick who were healed.

Remember the food that was served.

Remember the dead that were raised from their "sleep".

Remember the wine at the wedding.

Remember the day when all was black and he said, "It is finished" and it wasn't what everyone thought it was.

Remember a morning that was filled with an empty tomb.

Remember a man who walked on the road alongside of his downtrodden followers.

Remember...

Then...

Trust.

Oh my, that's as hard of a word as "Monday", isn't it?

I'll pray for your Mondays, and ask you to pray for mine.

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Bible passage is from Matthew 8:23-27

Some of the text above are excerpts from Max Lucado's "Grace for the Moment" Morning and Evening Readings. (March 22)