Imagine you are riding in a small boat. Waves are tossing and turning around you. The boat rocks you up and down. Lightning strikes and heavy amounts of water come crashing into the boat. You are drenched. The waves do not seem to settle down. You panic and yell, “Please help me!” This is how the apostles felt when they were riding along the Sea of Galilee in a boat that experienced much turmoil along their journey.
I love to use guided imagery when I am studying scripture. When I use this technique, I close my eyes and try to visualize each verse from the passage. Finding imagery in Mark 4: 35-41 depicts how powerful and protective our Savior can be. To see his power, it is beneficial to compare the description of the sea with the description of Jesus. The sea is characterized as being “furious” and its “waves breaking over the boat (4:37).” Jesus is riding in this very boat. By judging his behavior, it is evident that he can conquer the storm. He is described as “sleeping on a cushion” in a boat that is swamped (4:38). Jesus has power over the storm, because he does not allow it to phase him. Furthermore, he actually calms it by his authority. After the apostles wake him, Jesus rises and says “Quiet! Be still (4:39)!” The apostles are left amazed.
As I visualize this passage, I am reminded that there is nothing on earth that Jesus has not conquered. He has overcome the world. Also, it inspires me to be strong and steady just like him in a scary situation. We may not have the power to calm nature, but we can learn from his example to be still in our own “storms.” In our world that currently seems to be filled with bad news, there are many opportunities to witness to others as we choose to stay calm.
I close my eyes and imagine myself holding onto Jesus in that rocky boat. He is soundly sleeping and his heart is at an even rate. He is not stirred or shaken. The closer we feel to Jesus, I think the closer we become to growing in his likeness. I want to have that part of him in my life. The part that calms me down and allows me to feel the power and love of Jesus no matter what surrounds me in life.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
"Jealous God"
My father, better known as “Daddy,” always encouraged me and invested his time in me. We have always been very close and rarely there is a day that goes by that I do not talk on the phone with him. Since he lives several hours away, it is important that I keep in contact. At times he wishes he could spend more time out here and I am sure he can get jealous when he hears about fun activities that are going on with me or the family. When I think about these times, it helps me to remember that my heavenly father is certainly a jealous God. “Jealous” in the context of our time and love.
God has created us for himself and to have us in relationship with him. When we allow time with Him to slip away from us, He naturally can become jealous. “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God, am a jealous God (Exodus 20:4-5).” I think it is important to look at our parent child relationship with God. “Now we are children of God and what we will be has not yet been made known (1 John 3:2).” God hopes to spend time with us, because he is using every minute to form us into the creation He is planning us to be. It is really to our disadvantage when we feel that investing our time into things of the world will fulfill our needs.
My Dad is grateful that I have family, friends and hobbies that I enjoy. However, we both know that our relationship plays a big part in both of our lives. My Dad has instilled morals in me and has given me courage to believe that I am a confident and valuable person. This is the gift that God yearns to give us. He wants to mold us into His masterpiece. Remembering this, helps to remind me that spending time with Him should be a priority. I want to strive to have more than just a morning quiet time. I want to pray to Him throughout the day, wait in silence and always let Him know that I love Him.
He is my Father, He is my God. He deserves my time...He deserves ALL of me!
God has created us for himself and to have us in relationship with him. When we allow time with Him to slip away from us, He naturally can become jealous. “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God, am a jealous God (Exodus 20:4-5).” I think it is important to look at our parent child relationship with God. “Now we are children of God and what we will be has not yet been made known (1 John 3:2).” God hopes to spend time with us, because he is using every minute to form us into the creation He is planning us to be. It is really to our disadvantage when we feel that investing our time into things of the world will fulfill our needs.
My Dad is grateful that I have family, friends and hobbies that I enjoy. However, we both know that our relationship plays a big part in both of our lives. My Dad has instilled morals in me and has given me courage to believe that I am a confident and valuable person. This is the gift that God yearns to give us. He wants to mold us into His masterpiece. Remembering this, helps to remind me that spending time with Him should be a priority. I want to strive to have more than just a morning quiet time. I want to pray to Him throughout the day, wait in silence and always let Him know that I love Him.
He is my Father, He is my God. He deserves my time...He deserves ALL of me!
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