The Perfect Storm

This morning I was digging around in the Word and this thought came to me. It’s nothing amazing or profound, but I wanted to share it nevertheless. A few years ago, a book called The Perfect Storm came out and though I never read it I was always secretly humored at the crazy idea of a violent storm ever being “perfect”. Haha How can a storm which can result in sunken boats and drowned people ever be considered “perfect”? Anywhoooooo…

I was in Mark 4 and Luke 8 and read where the disciples found themselves in a violent, yet perfect, storm:

Mark 4:37-41 KJV 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Luke 8:22-25 KJV 22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

It seems to me that in the spiritual realm, there *can* be such a thing as a Perfect storm. Each individual Perfect storm may be at a different place, a different time, even different people in the boat, but will always contain several common components:

1. Your boat will get filled with LOTS and LOTS of water, but not sink (surely God never places a burden on us that is more than we can bear/endure – I Corinthians 10:13). It doesn’t take rocket science to realize that every boat (life) can only take on so much water before it *will* sink. Thankfully, God knows exactly how water that is and will answer our cries “Master, master, we perish!” before the storm destroys us.

2. Jesus is always willing to be in your boat, with you, through the storm (He never leaves us or forsakes us – Hebrews 13:5). Nor is He ever going to deviously send us on some suicidal task… Ohhh by the way, you’re going to experience a bit of a nasty storm that’s going to sink your boat. But I’ll be here waiting at the shore when you get back. *If* you get back. =)

3. The danger of the Perfect storm will cause you to cry out to Jesus (it will cause you to transition from self-reliance to God-reliance – Psalms 34:4, Proverbs 3:5-6). As much as I believe that God is a gentleman, I also believe that He enjoys opportunities to show off His chivalry and gallantry. He enjoys coming to our rescue! He enjoys seeking and saving the lost! He happily looks forward to occasions when we willfully choose to draw near to Him. As much as an earthly father treasures it when his child runs to him when they’re scared, so God gladly embraces us in His arms to ease our fears and doubts.

4. Jesus will hear your cries and speak peace into your storm (certainly what we could not do, Jesus CAN do! Psalms 107:28-29, Matthew 19:26). Your storm may be big or small, short or long, during your sunrise years or in your horizon years, but regardless of the dimensions of the winds and waves, His voice still commands the same respect. His spoken, “Peace be still…” will immediately calm the raging winds and waves. The same voice that spoke the worlds into existence can instantly create peace in the midst of your chaos!

5. Your faith and trust in Jesus will be stretched and challenged (your faith and trust will grow stronger – John 11:11-15). Certainly, as we see Jesus stand in the midst of our “perfect storm” and boldly speak peace, our faith and trust in Him deepens. Perfect storms are unique in that they will always include a “God moment”… a special moment between you and God that would not have otherwise happened. God may impart unto you an expanded level of faith and boldness, special insight or understanding, a renewed boldness and passion, etc. The possibilities are limitless and infinite. When the divine connects with humanity, the impossible becomes possible! Fear and doubt is changed into peace! Disaster and crisis is converted into deliverance! Pain and misery is overcome by healing and restoration! With God all things are possible!

Any storm of life that we experience is inherently dangerous and can cause failure and destruction, but when Jesus is added to the equation the storm can become the Perfect storm. When we cry out Jesus, the winds and waves meant to batter our boat (life) are subdued by the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6)! Always remember this spiritual formula:

Violent Storm + Jesus in your boat + Calling out to Jesus =

The Perfect Storm

Some folks look for the silvering lining in every dark cloud, others are always saying, It looks like rain, but I want to have the expectation that every storm and trial of life has divine potential. That every storm has the potential to become The Perfect Storm!

A “God moment” that can forever change and impact my life, for the better!