When The Oceans Rage

 

There is nothing like a storm to comfort us.

It sounds ridiculous but I actually find storms really comforting. I’m not sure if it is that all the tension that has been blinding up is finally released or that the voices of the world around us seem to get drowned out in the thundering rain.

After two months of swimming in the ocean every day, tonight I trekked to the beach once more. I was alone in the rain and as I neared the coast, I came face to face with a wondrous, mighty sea thrusting its waves violently toward me. The water crashed against the rocks and sprayed in protest. I parked my car and ran toward it.

“And when the oceans rage, I don’t have to be afraid because I know that you love me”.

Singing out loud of God’s unfailing love. Yelling the word of truth passionately into the water-splinted wind. “God, your love never fails!”

“The wind is strong and the water’s deep
But I’m not alone here in these open seas
Cause your love never fails”

Life can be one hectic whirlpool. We feel that we are caught and dragged in a downward spiral and though we see the world spiralling around us, we need not be afraid. Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Crack open your Bible. Remember that famous story when Jesus calmed the storm?

 ^“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care 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. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” – Mark 4:37-41

Who is this man? He is Jesus! He is my all time hero, my saviour, lord and friend.

Why is my life so different to so many others caving down around me? It’s not because of anything I have done. My life is incredible because I have Jesus in my life. This little boat I am in is my life. The ocean is the world we have to navigate. That same powerful man that was in that boat promises to be in mine.

Who is in your boat? What is going to happen when the wind starts howling and the waves toss your boat? When the world knocks you down, who will be there to save you? Invite Jesus on your boat now and he’ll be there when you need him. I promise.

Shine A Little Lighthouse Light

“Lighthouse tall and grand
Standing on that cold headland
Shine your light across the sea
For a wayward sailor girl like me

Lighthouse man
Guide this sailor back to land
Steer my ship on through the storm
Back to water safe and calm

Sometimes I need a lighthouse for my own
Because it gets so dark I can’t see which way I’m going
Oh lighthouse man I’m all at sea
Shine a little lighthouse light on me.”

-Lighthouse, by The Waifs

Imagine being lost at sea. Everything is dark. Waves thrust against your wooden sides in an attempt to ruin your confidence, destroy your hope, end your journey and steal your life.

The watery mountains are crashing over onto the deck and the ship rocks violently back and forth. The rain in hammering down, hitting your skin sharp like pine needles.

The sails whip violently in the bellowing wind and the rain weighs them heavily down. The other men on the ship are pulling desperately at the ropes and clinging for dear life, for fear of being thrown over the edge to certain death.

You stand at the helm, trying your best to steer the ship. The rain is pelting and the sea is spraying so hard, it is a painful task just to keep your eyes open.

You’ve given up all hope and you figure, “What the heck, maybe there is a god up there in the sky somewhere,” in painful desperation you say, “it’s worth a try”.  So you pray that if God is real, he’ll show you the way, send you a sign. Something, anything.

And then you see a lighthouse on the horizon, shining it’s light into the distance. Hope, relief, joy wash over you. God hears your prayers!

I’m sure all of us have felt like this at some point in our lives. We are stuck in the middle of some sort of storm and we have no idea which direction to take. Even more so, each of us have come through these storms and we know the importance of a little light, or a little love shining our way.

This, however, is not about you. It’s about others. Everyday we meet people who are experiencing these storms. You can never tell what people are experiencing just by looking at them so we should never judge. We never know who is crying out to God. We might not realise how important the light is that we are shining.

What we should strive to do is to be a lighthouse. Stand tall and shine bright. Shine God’s love wherever we are, exactly where He has placed us. We are here for a reason, to bring glory and honour to him and to share his love, so that others might come to know him too.

Our light ought to shine, so that it guides others toward Jesus, the one true, living and loving God.

 ^{“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”}

-Matthew 5:14-16