In the Midst of the Storm
As Christians, very few of us are called to be preachers of God’s Word. And for those who are called, who feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to preach, scripture is very clear about the weight of responsibility that choice carries. There are many passages which speak to the fact that those called to the ministry are held to a higher standard. I would guess, if you are reading this blog that, while you might be a preacher, it is more likely you are an average Joe, looking for some help in your walk with God. Even so, there is a responsibility to be ready to give an answer for what we believe. 1 Peter 3:15
I am here to help and encourage you, the average Joe. Every one of us as Christians, those whom God has “called out” - “ekklesia,” are also called to be prepared to give an answer for what we believe. That means we must seek God, pray, and study His Word. That task seems simple to some, difficult and daunting to others. I am one of the others.
Attending a Christian College, studying to be youth pastor, I became overwhelmed with the hours of time spent in the library, pouring through theology books, learning Greek and Hebrew, and understanding terms like exegesis. It was just too much… so I switched my major to psychology, thinking the requirements would be less daunting. Boy did God laugh!! Nothing like writing a ten page OUTLINE on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, to give me a reality check.
At any rate, here we are, and I am writing a blog for people like me who find the world spinning too fast. Slowing down to spend a few minutes with the Creator, in His Word, led by His Spirit is difficult. Our lives our so full of obligations and responsibilities we feel we can barely stay afloat. And yet, Jesus has called you out. Out of the boat of this world, to walk with Him. In the midst of the storm raging around you, He bids you to keep your eyes on Him…and come.
So, I hope to inspire you to take a few minutes, once a day, to “be still and know” (Psalm 46) that the God of all creation has it figured out. The raging storm does not intimidate Him. The few minutes spent with Him will not cause you to miss the good He has planned for you. In fact, those few minutes each day will, if you allow yourself to, bring you into alignment with the plans He has for you. Understand…it is always your choice. I am quite sure I am not unique in that I sometimes follow the example of Jonah, rather than Noah. This puts me in the water, in the belly of the fish, contemplating why I did not just listen to God, and follow in the first place.
Our challenge, every one of us, is in the allowing. Allowing God to direct our lives, beginning with our very thoughts, then our actions, and then our words, through the Holy Spirit that dwells in each of us as believers. It means actively setting our pride, our desire to be lord of our own lives, aside. Mastering any new skill takes practice. Whether it be golf, riding a bike, or learning to couples dance, it takes repetition. Nobody learns to be a master of anything by watching a YouTube video. You still have to put in the time. Mastering the art of hearing the music God is playing for us is no different. We must start with a heart willing to do God’s will. We must slow our lives down and make time for our Creator to speak to us. This practice will then give us the skill we need in times of storm to keep our eyes on Him. We will learn to walk by faith just like Peter.
I find Peter’s story interesting in itself…the subject for another day. However, I will mention that when Peter relied on himself, he sunk. When Peter looked on Christ for the faith he needed, it was granted him. Point being that faith comes from God, not ourselves and we must keep our eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith. Now, back to the task at hand, spending a few minutes each day, Word of God in hand, a few simple tools at the ready, and a desire to have God help you understand.
There are as many ways to study scripture as there are people studying it. Read through the Bible in a year, read the same chapter over and over again until it is memorized, grab a concordance, etc. You get the point. Having said that, it is easy to not start because we don’t know where to start because there are so many options. And, while God can use anything or anybody to His purposes, it is best to start with resources we know to have a solid foundation.
The first step is to pray. Pray that God will clear your mind of anything that will get in the way of your understanding. Knowing that God has filled each and every Christian with His Spirit, including you, means we have His guiding hand at the ready, when we are ready to listen. ( John 16:13 ) Pray until you have a sense of calm about your mind, body and spirit indicating your readiness to hear God directing you.
Second, have a Study Bible, a piece of paper and pen. With the advent of the internet and artificial intelligence, using a device is common, however, I recommend using a physical Bible. There are many versions of scripture these days, some more accurate than others. You might want to ask around if you are unsure which to use. The pastor at your church will also be a resource in knowing which is right for you. I currently use the Nelson’s New King James Version Study Bible as a starting point. Most any Study Bible will do to start. Now, read the forward and preface of the Study Bible. The Study Bible is a tool. The forward and preface are the instructions for how to use the tool. Familiarize yourself with the different elements of the tool you are using before you even start. You might be amazed at what this simple step will inspire.
I find myself drawn to the concordance at the back. I can often find direction from looking up a topic I am struggling with in the concordance and following the path it leads me on. For instance, as my wife and I end one chapter of our lives and start another I might find myself a bit anxious. The concordance leads me to several verses. Luke 12:29 and Philippians 4:6. I will look up each verse, reading several verses on either side for context. I might also find myself on BibleHub.com looking up the meaning of a particular word or idea. What did the word anxious mean when it was originally written. Word meanings do change over time, so it becomes particularly important to understand the word in context of the time frame it was written.
I have usually exhausted the time I have allotted to study by now. There are often some incomplete thoughts or unanswered questions which is great. Write these down in a notebook set aside for this time. Throughout the day I find myself randomly thinking about what I have read. That is a sign of a mind receptive to God. Pick-up tomorrow where you left off, or with a new thought that came throughout the previous day. If you miss a day, do not despair, scripture has an answer for that as well. In fact, I will leave you with Philippians 4:8. Maybe it will be a good starting point for your first study.
Chris