In The Eye of The Storm

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)

Where's the safest place to be in a Category "5" Hurricane?

Dead-center—in the eye of the storm.

According to weather experts, "The eye is a region of calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a circular area, typically 20–40 miles in diameter. It is surrounded on all sides by the Eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the most severe weather of a cyclone occurs. The cyclone's lowest barometric pressure occurs in the eye, and can be as much as 15% lower than the atmospheric pressure outside the storm."

You don't need to be a Chief Meteorologist to see the amazing spiritual application here.

When we are in Christ—clinging tightly to Him, we are in the safest place; in the eye of the storm. 

Picture the disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee at 4:00 in the morning, the wind and the waves crashing with such ferocity that they all feared for their lives. But when they thought Jesus was asleep at the wheel, not caring if they lived or died, He rebukes the wind and the wavs, saying; "Peace, be still."  And immediately, it is perfectly calm. 

The disciples exclaim, "What manner of Man is this that even the wind and the waves obey Him!"

In a cyclone, the dead-center is the calmest part, but it is surrounded on all sides by a severe wall of towering thunderstorms called the Eyewall. One would think that the eye of a hurricane would be the deadliest place to be, but it's just the opposite.

Psalm 107: 28-30 speaks beautifully of how God calms the storms of distress and trouble in our lives when we cry out to Him:

^"Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven."

God's people are the "Apple of His eye."  His protection and care for His people are a promise from God and He is always faithful to us (Deut 32:9):

“He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye."

Life in this fallen, sin-sick world is like walking through a howling desert wasteland.  But God encircles us and He keeps us in His love and in His presence. Even when we stumble and stray, it says that God "finds us."  He meets us where we are.  He promised to never leave us or forsake us.  We may wander from time to time, but He always finds us. 

If your life feels like a category 5 hurricane spinning out of control right now, and the Eyewall of thundering storms are towering all around you, causing you to fear, and doubt God's love and provision for you; cry out to Him today and  surrender your hurts and fears to Him.

Jesus said (Matt 11:28-29):

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Only Jesus can command the wind and waves of the storms in your life and say; "Peace, be still."

Come to Jesus. Cry out to the Lord in your trouble. Cast your burdens on Him today because He cares for you.

“Those who go down to the sea in ships,

Who do business on great waters,
They see the works of the Lord,
And His wonders in the deep.
For He commands and raises the stormy wind,
Which lifts up the waves of the sea.
They mount up to the heavens,
They go down again to the depths;
Their soul melts because of trouble.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
And are at their wits’ end.
Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.
He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.
Then they are glad because they are quiet;
So He guides them to their desired haven.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people,
And praise Him in the company of the elders.”
(Psalm 107:23-32)

—Rest in Jesus in the eye of the storm.

God is Love and Love Never Fails.