the wind and waves still know...

At a prayer service last night a song played I'd not heard before. I strained to catch the lyrics as it was playing softly in background and caught just this line, something I've been meditating on since... "Be still my soul, the wind and waves still know His voice" In Matthew 8, we read the account of Jesus and His disciples on a boat when, "suddenly a violent storm arose" (Mt.8:24) The disciples in panic and fear wake Jesus who'd been sleeping soundly despite the tumultuous circumstances. His response then, are the same words He speaks today to our fearful hearts. "Why are you so timid and afraid, O you of little faith? Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great and wonderful calm (a perfect peaceableness). "The wind and waves still know His voice." Over two-thousand years ago The Prince of Peace spoke into raging waters telling them to cease their frantic stirrings-and they did! Just like that! The very same God who spoke the deep waters into existence, stood in a heaving boat, looked over the side, and ordered those same waters into utter tranquility. And they still know and recognize His voice- the circumstances that threaten to capsize us as we travel with and for The Lord are still under His command. He is still the Great Storm- Silencer. He is I AM. In the moments of sheer terror or nausea we experience in life- waves coming up over the side of the boat, dark and threatening skies looming above, may we be reminded as I was, that His voice is still enough to hush even the harshest of situations and bring a great and wonderful calm, yes, a perfect peaceableness. "When the oceans rage and thunders roll, I will soar with You above the storm. Father You are King over the flood. I WILL be still and know You are God!" (Hillsong)

no matter what

Sitting at the computer this morning, while the sun had yet to come up, I wondered why it'd been so long since my last entry and why, more importantly, was I up at 4a.m.!??? But in that moment of introspection I found myself overwhelmed with a deep sense of thankfulness for even being awake...for being alive, and for really living this life and not just allowing it to pass drearily by. And In the wake of a week best described as heavy ...emotionally, physically, and spiritually, I still find the surfacing feeling that encompasses my heart to be real, authentic gratitude. On my "worst of days" I take solace in knowing and understanding that each and every circumstance that has been allowed by God in my life has purpose. I am comforted to know that I face nothing alone. And I am encouraged to know that in my moments of ever-waning human strength, His grace is far more than sufficient and that is reason enough to rejoice in another day, no matter what it brings!