The Tempest

JusJoJan 7 January

Image from Pixabay

When I think of a tempest, I think of two occasions when Jesus calmed a storm. The first can be found in Matthew 14:13-44. It was a very emotional day for Jesus. He had heard of the death of John the Baptist and wanted to get away by himself. The crowds followed Him and He ended up feeding five thousand men plus women and children. He sent the disciples away in a boat while He dismissed the crowd. Later, He walked on the water towards them. Peter got out of the boat and walked towards Jesus but when he looked at the storm, his faith failed. As they got into the boat, the storm died down.

The other story can be found in Matthew 8.

“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! we’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (verses 24-26 NIV)

It is interesting to me to notice that, in a party including four seasoned fishermen, who understood storms and were experts at managing boats, they should see fit to wake a carpenter to help them.

These stories are among those I like to use for a Biblical meditation.

I read through the story slowly, maybe reading it a second time out loud.

Then I get comfortable, concentrate on breathing deeply and try to imagine myself as one of the characters in the story, perhaps one of the crowd who stayed behind after Jesus dismissed them, or a disciple, maybe the one commissioned to wake the sleeping Jesus.

I invoke all of my senses if I can. I try to feel the wind around me or the grass under me or, if my character is in the boat, the pitching of the waves. What do I see, hear, smell, taste?

I imagine a moment when Jesus and I are alone together. What does He say to me? What do I reply? He gives me something to remind me of our time together.

Some people are helped or encouraged by such a meditation, others not so much. I encourage you to try it, especially if you are in the midst of a tempest. I’d love to hear your feedback about how you experienced it.

My Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for my imagination. Please help me to use it to get closer to you. Amen.

At the Beach

I love the beach. My favourite holiday is to spend time on the Natal South Coast as close to the sea as possible. Beaches in the Western Cape or Port Elizabeth will also do but they are much further away so not as accessible. We are planning to go down to Scottburgh this winter, God willing, in our motorhome.

Beach near Hibberdene 2020

When I am in a contemplative mood, I sometimes spend my prayer time imagining myself sitting on a bench on a cliff overlooking the sea. As I sit there, I try to imagine feeling the breeze on my face, hearing the sounds of the waves breaking and the seagulls mewing, seeing the changing colours and shapes of the sea. I praise God for His beauty and majesty. Then I picture Jesus coming to sit next to me. The birds are silent in awe and even the breeze holds its breath in wonder. For a while He doesn’t say anything. I ask Him to speak to me and I tell Him where I am and what concerns or excites me at the moment. Then I just sit still and wait for Him to speak.

Almost always I’ve come away with a verse or a revelation and I feel renewed and at peace. In fact, I can’t think why I do it so seldom. Time maybe?

John says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

My Prayer

Lord Jesus, Creator of the sea and the land, the earth and sky, please quieten me so I can hear what you want to say to me. Amen.

This post is part of JusJoJan

Short meditation on Psalm 8

O Lord, my Lord,

How majestic is your name in all the earth.

You have communicated your essence through your Son, Jesus Christ.

When I consider my body, which You have created, my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my senses to know the wonder of Your creation,

when I remember the miracle of child birth, the awe of watching a helpless bundle of humanity grow into a wonderful work of art which You have designed,

Who am I that You set Your love on me? Who is my family that You care for us?

You have designed me and planned me before the beginning of creation. You have given me the parents and circumstances that have made me who I am. You chose my country, my ethnicity, my social and economic standing.

Such things are too wonderful for me. You love me so much that you paid the ultimate price so that I may live. You long to be with me, for me to be with you. Forever.

O Lord, my Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth.