As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement, they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." ~Luke 23:25
Springtime, especially in the Midwest and Southeastern states, too often ushers in bouts of violent weather as masses of warm air clash with the lingering winter cold fronts. Danny, as some of you might already know, is a self-admitted weather geek, and has over the years, found some reliable meteorologists on YouTube he trusts. One favorite of his is Ryan Hall at "Ryan Hall - Y'all," to which you can subscribe and stream for free.
When I tell him that my sister-in-Christ and long time "pen pal," K., could be right in the line of fire for these latest round of tornadoes, he advises that she watch Ryan on YouTube. His steaming updates are extremely timely and accurate; in this last tornado outbreak, there were even storm chasers in Iowa to report the latest. So exciting to have experts updating us!
Yes, K. signs up for the site, and is so thankful that we suggested she do so. This is part of her note to us, and I paraphrase: What meant the most to me was not just the weather information, but that Ryan's voice was so CALM (emphasis hers). Our local meteorologists on the radio always sound so frantic when severe storms are approaching our area. Ryan truly made it much easier to keep alert, yet peaceful inside.
Thanks be to God!
I sometimes try to imagine how Jesus' human voice sounded to His disciples, not just in commanding wind and waves to cease, but in moments of traveling through Judea as He healed the sick, both physically and spiritually, and turned those impossibilities to possibilities for those who believed He was the long-awaited Messiah. No matter the timbre or cadence Jesus' voice had in His human manifestation, my heart tells it could calm the soul as equally as the storm.
And when we seek Him through prayer and worship, no matter what storms we are going through, He will grant us the peace that passes all understanding. The peace that only our Lord and Savior can bring to this troubled world and our troubled hearts.
The voice of our Lord speaks to us today. Are we listening?
Amen!
Are you or your loved ones facing a stormy time right now? If you feel comfortable with sharing your story, please do in the comment section. We will pray for you!