S.T.O.R.M (Service To Others Really Matters)

Living in San Antonio was challenging. Storms in Texas are BIG, like everything else in Texas. Remembering as a little child, there was one storm that brewed like black coffee in the morning, as low clouds of blackness thickened in the sky. Warning sirens cried out like a mother warning her child not to cross the street. Crawling under the bed for protection like squirrels scampering up a tree to get away from a predator. Terrified of the unknown. At peace with mom's presence.


     When evening came, he said to his disciples, “let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake so that the waves swept over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. However, Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Lord, Save us. Don’t you care if we drown? He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be Still!” Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm.

     Storms come and we bolt like lightening and thunder with a roar of excitement and scatter like hail. Sometimes our tornadic emotions are the aftermath of destruction around us. Inner or outer storms will prosper. Sometimes we feel inadequate.

     Powerful message in the gospels and I ponder over the writer's thoughts as he experienced this storm. I am also mindful of Psalms 107, " they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven."

     Elijah was faced with a powerful storm in his life, so much that he hit rock bottom depression. Who can blame him? After all, he is human and fearful of his life. His picture posted and a bounty placed. Even though he proved God’s existence, he still became afraid. Elijah crawled up into the mountain. God whispered to him. Elijah regained his strength. (Read 1 Kings 16-20)

     As a professional counselor, professional fisherman, professional human being, there has to be a gentle reminder in our lives. Are we focusing on the noise of the storm that sometimes we forget that being a S.T.O.R.M (Storm. Service To Others Really Matters) in the midst of our own, is very self healing by becoming survivors?

    God might quiet the storm within us. The purpose is to remove the focus off the storm. Put the focus on Him. It is how we can weather the storm. Feel the disciples. The anxieties placed on the focus of the storm or at Jesus' peaceful slumber? They were professionals and have weathered many storms before. Why was this any different? We can allow the storms to chase us or we can become Storm Chasers!