"other times He calms His child"

not sure why, but i have a strange desire to post something sort of philosophical about my life. oh well. it's about time for an update anyway.

i'm going to start with the refrain of a song i hear periodically on the radio that has really stuck with me. (granted, i don't listen to the radio much, but when mom's got it on, i normally hear this song.) it's "Sometimes He Calms the Storm" by Scott Krippayne.

"Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered “peace be still”
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child"

sometimes, i think we forget that God's answer to our prayers isn't always a resounding "yes". sometime's it's a "not right now" or "I have something better for you". or, sometimes we expect Him to make our path perfectly smooth, without any bumps or roadblocks, sort of like Job's life before he was tested (see Job). but how are we to realize the true depths of our faith if we never have hardship? it's easy for a man who has never known difficulty to say that he believes in God, but will that same man still praise God in life's storms?

i'm sure you all are wanting me to get off my soapbox about now. sounds very preachy, doesn't it? sorry. :P but i can honestly say that i learned it the hard way...

i went through a very dry period in november and the beginning of december. actually, when i look back at my posts from that time, covering about six weeks, they are either a) papers i wrote, or b) nonsensical/crazy/just weirded out. suffice to say i was very confused. i felt like i was stuck in some sort of windstorm that would not let up. i could not figure out what was right or wrong; what was up or down. i'd been plunged into sheer confusion. it's difficult to describe...hmmm...ah, i know.

Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!" (Matthew 14:24-33)

you're sinking...drowning...and He reaches out His hand and pulls you back. i remember one night, i cried out, and He came. am i still confused? oh heck yeah! but now i have found my Anchor, my Harbor, my Lifeline...

hey, that reminds me of a song...

Anchor
I was drowning
In a sea of confusion
No help anywhere
No end in sight
I descended to the depths of despair

And then walking through the storm
He came
And offered His hand to me

I saw the hole there
And backed away
My stomach clenched in fear
Then He smiled and said
“Just let Me be your Friend

“Let Me be your Anchor
“Let Me be your Harbor from the storm
“Let Me be your Lifeline
“Trust in Me
“Let Me be your Anchor”

I took His hand
He pulled me out of the swirling depths of despair
Out of the despondency I’d descended to

I still ride the waves
The confusion is all around me
But I will not be overwhelmed
I will not be crushed
I will not be engulfed by this chaos
I know that even now

He is my Anchor, my Harbor, my Lifeline
And I will not be moved
I will not be moved
He is my Anchor, my Harbor, my Lifeline
And I trust Him
He is my Anchor, my Harbor, my Lifeline
And I will not be moved
(fade out)

you know, i think these selections say what i wanted to say much better than i could. i'll leave it there.

-enna