Stormy Weather

Today’s scripture: Mark 4:35-41 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (David Zier):

As I read this scripture I was reminded of Psalm 34, which tells us that God is our refuge, even though the the righteous go through afflictions. This passage is a reminder that we all go through times where our faith is tested. If every day was easy, how would we grow and learn?

Here in Indiana it seems our weather, especially in the spring, can be a whirlwind. Thunderstorms crop up in a moment’s notice, and tornado warnings and watches come and go. Some storms have been severe and caused lots of damage and injury. This is typical in the Midwest.

Greensburg, Kansas was devastated by a tornado in 2007; 90% of the town’s buildings were damaged beyond repair. This small community thought they could never recover. But they came together, and have slowly rebuilt. More than 50% of the town’s residents have remained there, and have committed to rebuilding an environmentally friendly town and caring for God’s creation in the process. Even among the devastation and lives lost, the town has created a community that is more in line with how God wanted them to live. For such a small town, this took great faith of the community.

If I only allow myself to immerse in the good days, I miss so much. I need to experience the unpleasant weather of other days to see a different perspective and allow myself to experience life and grow my soul.

This also applies to my faith. If I only seek God when life is calm and sunny, then I fail to discover a different side of God when life becomes difficult. I must be prepared to trust God in both the pleasant and unpleasant times in my life, and to seek out and experience God working in the world around me. Jesus had his good days and his bad days, and Jesus experienced the most unpleasant of days so that we can all weather whatever storms we go through today.

Prayer for the day: God, I pray that whatever storms arises in my life, my faith will be strengthened. I ask that you will remind me of the storms I have already weathered, and remind me of what I have learned and how I have grown so that my faith will sustain and strengthen. Amen.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.