Is Our Savior Sleeping?

 

A grandmother and a little girl, whose face was sprinkled with bright red freckles, spent the day at the zoo. Children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws. As they approached a boy in line cried out, “You’ve got so many freckles, there’s no place to paint on your cheek!” Embarrassed the little girl dropped her head. Her grandmother knelt down next to her, “I love your freckles,” she said. “Not me,” the girl replied. “Well, when I was a little girl, I always wanted freckles,” she said tracing her finger across the child’s cheek. “Freckles are beautiful!” The little girl looked up, “Really?” “Of course,” said the grandmother. “Just name me one thing that’s prettier than freckles.” The little girl peered into the old woman’s smiling face and answered softly, “Wrinkles.” How wonderful it is when those who are filled with wisdom, stoop down and spill over. How wonderful it is when those just learning to spread their wings can see the beauty in those who have flown so long.

[John 14:27-28] At times fear can be so convincing that one truly believes that the worst-case scenario is somehow inevitable. Think about a specific event or experience where you were afraid of something that never came to fruition. The grip of anxiety can be debilitating as you wait for your medical test results to come in. You agonize over the poor quality of life you might have if there is ever an unexpected economic collapse. You’re robbed of sleep as you imagine the potential horrible outcomes that may never happen. These things may never happen because the Lord could come. They may never happen because whatever you’re afraid of - it’s simply worse in your own mind. It may never happen because God has proven Himself to be one who calms the storm instead of letting you perish. I believe we would all benefit from recalling those occasions in our past where fear proved unnecessary, and we worked ourselves up for nothing!

If the fear in your life has a big appetite and it’s devouring all your time and peace, maybe it’s time to feed something else. Sitting Bull once said, “Inside of me there are two dogs. One is mean and evil and the other is good. They fight each other all the time. When asked which one wins, I answer, ‘the one I feed the most.’” How vividly this illustrates a daily struggle for so many. Fear and faith will scrap with one another until we decide which one will win.

Do you think our faith would emerge victorious every day if we could physically witness God’s power, but in a miraculous way? If my own eyes could witness Jesus bring the dead back from the grave, cast out a demon, or walk on stormy waters, then I would never worry again. Or would I? Seeing Jesus perform miracles never made anyone perfect. His disciples were far from perfect, and they stood feet from the Savior while He did things only God could do. On one occasion Jesus calms the storm after being abruptly awakened by His terrified followers (Mark 4:35-41). There are some details about this account that will help us feed our faith when fear threatens to win the day. * First, our cries to God, even in the desperate times, are heard. The disciples exclaim, “Don’t you care that we’re about to die?” Following this fearful plea, Jesus demonstrates a fraction of His awesome power. After all, what is calming a stormy sea to the One who spoke every drop of water into existence? * Second, excessive fear of anything in this world is a foolish mistake. God is bigger and greater than our worries. * Third, God is not asleep. It may seem like He is when we don’t feel optimistic about the future, but it’s when we recognize that He’s the only answer to our peace - then He will calm our storm. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks… (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).