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CRISIS and SILENCE draw us back to HIS bedside – to kneel down before him and ask to do life together again
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Read Psalm 13:1-6
Stepping onto the boat that day with Jesus seemed like any other day. This was the normal routine around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus set forth the destination and everyone on board set out to sail there together. As they float along, Jesus tucks in for some much needed shut eye and the disciples continue on their Jesus-directed route. It’s not until after the storm hits and the boat begins to fill with water that they admit they’re in danger. But, when they turn to find Jesus, they find him sleeping.
I wonder how often we navigate our way as disciples of Jesus simply feeling reassured that Jesus is in the boat with us. We trust we’re on the Jesus-directed route and we go along like everything is fine. It’s not until the next crisis hits when we realize Jesus’ voice has been asleep in our lives. Then, when we turn to find Jesus and seek him for help, we find he’s still sleeping. He’s still silent. We wonder why Jesus is silent. Why would he go to sleep on us at the most inopportune time?
This is likely how the Psalmist felt in Psalm 13. He cries out, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” Sometimes Jesus’ silence can be painful, especially when we feel we need his help most. We ask questions like, “Why, Lord?” because in his silence, we can feel ignored, rejected, and unloved. But, what if Jesus simply wants us to move toward him? What if waking Jesus is exactly what he wants us to do? If we’ve been going along just fine without him, he might just allow crisis and silence to draw us back to his bedside – to kneel down before him and ask to do life together again. Then, when he asks, “Where is your faith?” We can confidently answer, “It’s me kneeling at your side seeking you alone for help.”
Reflection and Response
Listen to “Thy Will” by Hillary Scott & The Scott Family and use this space to journal about a current situation you’re praying about and hoping God will come through on – even though right now he feels silent.
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By Yvonne Biel
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