Crossing Over

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:35-41 NKJV

Often when the Lord gives us a directional word like “Let us cross over to the other side,” or “Get ready to do a new thing, etc.,” we get very excited. And then, after we start to move in the new direction, a storm arises in the form of an illness in the family, financial attacks, etc. It can be very confusing and frustrating when you thought you were getting ready to do something for the Lord and then all of a sudden you feel stuck or on hold because of circumstances in life.

Notice the difference in how Jesus handled the storm vs. the disciples. They immediately became fearful, but Jesus was sleeping in the boat, in perfect peace because He had complete trust in His Heavenly Father. When they woke Him up, He responded by rebuking the winds and the waves and they obeyed Him.

There have been many times when I have prayed and rebuked a natural storm and commanded it to settle down in the name of Jesus and it did so, almost immediately. Then there have been other times when I prayed, but felt I just had to ride out the storm and trust the Lord to keep me through it until it was over, and it is often the same in life’s circumstances. The Lord doesn’t always remove our trials because there are things He wants to teach us or work in us through them, like patience and trusting Him in the midst of the trial or storm of life.

The good news is that the Lord knows the end from the beginning; the storm is not a surprise to Him and He hasn’t changed His mind about what He’s called you to do. It just means there’s a delay and at the kairos moment (the right or set or appointed time) He will bring it to pass.

I am reminded of Philippians 1:6, which says:

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. (AMP)

God bless you all.

In Christ ~ Kelly Rowe