The Storm Within
Our three-year-old is a very passionate and dramatic storyteller. Just about every time the girls and I settle down to discuss a story from the Bible, she has to interrupt and give us her version of it.
Regardless of the story, it must have a “big, big storm”.
We last discussed the story of Joseph and his twelve brothers. Just after Joseph was sold to Egypt, there was a “big,…big… storm.”
I guess I don’t blame her. As I analyzed the Bible, I noticed storms were a common phenomenon.
Further, I discovered many of them intentionally resemble the same storms we often face on the inside; within.
Notice how Paul describes a storm he casually encounters…
…there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. (2 Co. 7:5 NLT)
Storms are periods of distress and unrest in our lives. Though uncomfortable, they are purposefully placed in our lives so that we can also find the secret place of calm and rest divinely placed within.
Priscilla Shirer refers to it as finding the secret treasure drawer we never knew we had.
Storms cause the soul to desperately search for peace, which is only found when truly encountering Christ within.
Acts 27 and 28 beautifully illustrate this…
Paul again, finds himself on board a ship overtaken by storm. All aboard were in deep distress. Humanly speaking, the situation was hopeless.
The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone…. (Acts 27:20 NLT)
But Paul, being a man of God, encourages the passengers on board.
But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost;…. (27:22)
The body of Christ will always be a source of encouragement, delivering the word of God to the distressed.
Shortly after, they accidentally discover and land on an island called Melita. The name Melita carries the meaning “calm” and “source of immense happiness”. (v.39, 28:1)
Melita represents the place where our spirit comes in contact with the spirit of Christ within. It's a place of peace and inner joy. In contrast to the dreadful storm, the soul finds quiet rest.
The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. (28:2)
I have to add that while on board the ship, a few passengers wanted to jump ship and save themselves, using the spare lifeboats. But Paul urges them not to. “If you want to be saved, you must stay aboard” he adds (27:30-31).
We cannot encounter Christ and find this place of inner peace on our own. We, too, need a guide. Only by continually relying on the Holy Spirit, can we arrive there.
There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee,
near to the heart of God.
2 There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God,
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God.
3 There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God,
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God.
-Old Hymn by Cleland Boyd McAfee
Supporting Text
For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish. They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper,
and the waves of the sea were hushed. They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired. ( Ps. 107:25-30)
This was exceptional 🕊️
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