Be Still and Keep Calm
by Jim Person
This verse reminds me that we need to be more diligent to focus on what the Lord has placed in our lives, not on what we see evident before us. I have been intrigued for years with this passage in Mark 4:35-41. Here we have a boat, some men, and Jesus all together in a storm. What a mix! Is this the perfect storm? I like to think so, as I look at it from the perspective of a fisherman who has weathered many a storm on the seas myself.
When in this situation, sleeping is not a normal thing to do, but Jesus had this amazing ability to not let His surroundings dictate how He acted. We see the disciples had a totally opposite focus.
Jesus walked and lived out Romans 8:6, setting His mind on what the Spirit was doing, focussing on what was unseen. The disciples had their minds set on the flesh and feared the consequences of what was seen. In that place, the former had peace and the latter had the fear of turmoil.
What is your focus today? Who knows how to live in peace? Jesus. He calmed the waves and stilled the fear of calamity in the hearts of His disciples. He can do the same in your life. They, in response, now looked at Him with different eyes. They were in awe of Him.
Whatever is happening in your life is not a surprise to Jesus. Let Him bring His peace into your storm today.
Prayer: Jesus, help me to not focus on my situation, but make You my focus. I feel like I’m about to capsize in the storm that is raging around me. Let my focus be on what the Spirit is doing, not on what my flesh sees. Fill me with Your peace, Jesus. Amen.
Jim Person Jim grew up in Alaska and from a small child commercial fished every summer with his family. God called him, his wife Tanya, and their four children to move to Hungary as missionaries in 2003. God then led him to join Ellel Ministries in 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where he is now serving with the Ellel USA team. Jim and Tanya have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom. They also love mentoring the existing and developing Ellel teams wherever God leads them. Jim also has a real gift for working with the land to create a beautiful and welcoming environment.
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