Storms
Image: https://www.wikiart.org/en/rembrandt/christ-in-the-storm-1633
It’s been quite a week, as there have been some major events around the world!
Here in the UK, on 17 June, MPs voted to change abortion legislation to stop women in England and Wales being prosecuted for ending their pregnancy. The BBC website said, ‘The landslide vote to decriminalise the procedure is the biggest change to abortion laws in England and Wales for nearly 60 years.’
Then a few days later, on 20 June, MPs backed legalising assisted dying in England and Wales, by a margin of 23 votes. ‘The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill now needs to be considered by the House of Lords before it can become law.’ reported the BBC website.
Last Saturday, the US military carried out a series of bombing raids on three nuclear facilities inside Iran. Israel and Iran have been exchanging military attacks since 13 June.
I was very much aware of these as I prepared for our Sunday gathering last week. I knew we needed to pray together about them, along with other issues too.
Somebody reminded me of the story about Jesus in a boat in a storm. He was with his disciples as the storm came and actually had fallen asleep! The disciples, scared that they might drown woke Jesus…
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
This story was really helpful as we prayed. There are ‘storms’ all around us at the moment, be that national or international, or on a more personal level. They can generate fear and anxiety.
Just like the disciples, Jesus is with us. In other words, we are not alone. I find that to be of great comfort when I am in the middle of a ‘storm’.
Jesus was not fazed by the storm on the sea; he was able to sleep! This tells me that Jesus does not see things the way I do. So, if I see the ‘storm’ from his perspective, I believe things will be different.
Like the disciples did, I need to call on Jesus to address the ‘storm’. Only Jesus can intervene in a way that will bring about change.
Finally, there is a wonderful piece of art called, ‘Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee’, painted by Rembrandt in 1633, which captures this Biblical story. Each of the men in the boat are reacting differently in the face of the storm.
Let me encourage you to take a long, close look at the painting, and ask yourself which of the men in the boat do you relate to the most?
You can view it here: https://www.wikiart.org/en/rembrandt/christ-in-the-storm-1633
P.S. Can you spot Rembrandt in the boat too?
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader