Channeling Peace 

God on Monday
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He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.  (Mark 4:39)

Reflection

A distinctive feature of the twenty-first century is the 24/7 culture. Work can be fulfilling but long hours, deadlines, and the never-ending to-do list can be exhausting. When these pressures are compounded by personal, familial and societal demands, we can feel we are like Jesus’ disciples - caught in a storm.

Jesus had only three years to bring about world transformation. Yet here we find him, amid a storm, taking a nap! Once his disciples had woken him up, however, his response to the danger, and the fear it engendered in the disciples, indicates that his transformative mission was still on track. He commands the wind to stop and the sea to be calm. Then he challenges the disciples by asking why they are so afraid, and so lacking in faith.

Filled with awe, the disciples said to one another ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ (v. 41). The calming of the storm is, then, not merely a miracle designed to resolve an immediate physical danger. It is about Jesus’ identity as God – a God who not only can change the weather but also change human hearts.

What significance does the depth and meaning of Jesus’ words have for our work today? It could be that our busyness is driven by fear and uncertainty, perhaps born from an attempt to strive for status and recognition. Jesus is calling us to recognize his status as Lord of all by taking time to be still and to resist the constant drive to achieve. 

We need to decide whether we want to continue the way we are, or live life as God intended it to be. Any unwillingness to change can adversely affect our witness. But when we allow ourselves to be transformed by God’s grace, we will live life more fully. We will cause others to wonder who this Jesus is that we follow.  

Response

How might your life (including your work) reflect more of the stillness Jesus is talking about? What strategies could you implement that would allow the peace of Christ to empower and strengthen you, and impact those around you, every day?

Prayer

Dear God, in the storms we face, help us to trust in you alone. Help us to become channels of hope and peace to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

This Week's Author

God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the next Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up here to receive each God on Monday instalment.

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