IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM

Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast and which enters the Presence behind the veil.

Standing on the deck of our condo, I look over Pensacola Bay, there is a soft breeze, causing the waves to lap softly onto shore; such a beautiful view and a soothing sound.  A small boat rocks gently, anchored to one of the many buoys scattered up and down the shoreline as the rising sun dances over the water, mingling streaks of pink and orange with the blues and greens.  Doesn’t that sound like a “calendar-worthy” picture?  It is this morning but last night was a different story.

Last evening, the skies grew dark and started to rumble; the soft breeze became a stiff wind and the sound of waves hitting the shore, changed from a “gentle lap” to an “angry slap.”  Suddenly, three men rushed down to the beach and out into the water…WHAT???? Didn’t they know there was a storm…CRAZY SPRINGBREAKERS!

Maybe they were a little crazy but they were also on a mission…the small boat had come loose from the buoy that held it anchored and the strong wind was blowing it toward the dock where soon it would crash.

I watched one man jump in the boat to start it, while the other two stood in the water steering it away from the dock.  Finally, they got the boat started and fighting the wind and angry waters of the Bay, were able to re-anchor the boat to a buoy far away from the dangerous dock.

Such is life…As we bounce along on the “Sea of Life,” gently swaying, enjoying the rising sun on our face, we don’t realize that our moorings have loosened.  We look around and spy the anchor buoy drifting nearby and settle back, unconcerned, until….the skies darken and a storm blows into our life.  Suddenly, the anchor fades and the dock looms threatening as the cruel winds carry us swiftly toward destruction.

We cry out and He is there…Right in the MIDST OF THE STORM, Jesus will get in your boat.  He has been listening for your cry and just waiting to steer you back to the anchor.

Sometimes we don’t realize we have come loose from the anchor, until a storm begins to blow all around. 

DON’T WAIT FOR THE STORM.

Check your moorings, today; while the sun is shining and the breezes are gentle.  Are the ropes becoming a little frayed? Has the slackness increased?  Has the distance between the anchor buoy and the dangerous dock changed?  If you have just been drifting oblivious to conditions, make the necessary corrections NOW…DON’T WAIT FOR THE STORM!

“In the Eye of the Storm, you remain in control

In the Middle of the War, you guard my soul

You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn

Your love surrounds me, in the Eye of the Storm.” (Ryan Stevenson)

CARRY YOUR PASSION

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our Faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. 

I don’t believe there has ever been a more frustrated time with more frustrated people in the history of mankind.  Well maybe there was, but God destroyed them all except the eight people on the ark.  The Bible describes this time in Genesis 6 as “every intent of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually.”  Perhaps they had become so FRUSTRATED in the pursuit of their passion that satisfaction had become an elusive prize.

Turn on the news…It is FRUSTRATING to watch all the FRUSTRATED PEOPLE embroiled in their FRUSTRATING SITUATIONS.  College students, renamed “Snowflakes” are frustrated because, suddenly they are faced with someone who doesn’t agree with them or speaks harshly to “little Jonny” and suddenly they are demanding “Safe Spaces.”  Politicians seek to not just defeat each other in elections but to actually DESTROY the other person’s character, family and legacy.  Employees are frustrated with their employers, employers with their employees; Parents are frustrated with their children, children with parents; Pastors are frustrated with their congregations, congregations with their pastors and we are all FRUSTRATED AT THE GOVERNMENT.

WHAT IS THE REAL ROOT OF OUR FRUSTRATION?

As it was in the days of Noah…Could it be we have become FRUSTRATED as we chase the ever elusive prize of our Passion?  In America we are taught to “FOLLOW OUR PASSION;” or in our vernacular, “CHASE THE AMERICAN DREAM!”  So we work, we dream, we plan, we scheme but never quite attain.

I recently heard this quote by Mike Rowe, “I DON’T FOLLOW MY PASSION; I CARRY IT WITH ME.”

WOW!!!!  THAT’S IT!!!  We are chasing a “Passion” when true “Passion” is carried with you.  TRUE PASSION is comprised of your dreams, your goals, your pursuit, your mission; you cannot separate yourself from your “Passion;” IT IS WHO YOU ARE!

The best example of TRUE PASSION is Jesus; He did not come to earth to PURSUE HIS PASSION but He CARRIED HIS PASSION TO EARTH WITH HIM!  Of course Jesus knew His destiny; He was fully aware of His mission and nothing distracted Him from completing that mission because it was HIS PASSION and He carried it with Him. 

So what was the Passion of Christ?  Was it the cross?  Was it miracles?  Was it preaching and teaching?  Was it making Disciples that would carry on His good works?  No, No, No, No and No!!!  The Passion of Christ was the “Heart of God;” love for mankind, repairing the breach sin had created and bringing them back into fellowship with the Father. 

JESUS CARRIED THAT PASSION TO THE CROSS!

It is time to set frustration aside and spend a little time seeking the “Heart of God.”  Allow His “passion” to become your “passion;” then carry it with you everywhere you go.  Carry it with you to work; you’ll be a better employee.  Carry it with you as you talk to your neighbor; you’ll see that aggravating neighbor with more compassion. Carry it with you when you walk into church; you won’t care that someone sat in your pew, which songs have been chosen or even about the length of the Pastor’s sermon.

If we will stop PURSUING OUR PASSION and begin to CARRY OUR PASSION, the frustration of life will dim as the flame inside us begins to burn brighter; suddenly our vision will be that of the “Joy set before us.”

♪♪“Jesus keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain

Free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calvary’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever

Till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.”♪♪