Rest Amid the Storms
Lessons from the life of Jesus in a season of change
At the end of a month, especially one that has overstayed its welcome as July has, I start to sketch out what I want the next month to feel like. A collection of quotes and photographs, a general aesthetic to hold to when I feel the unmooring reality of the passage of time. August, though, feels like it needs something deeper, some truer anchoring amid its busyness and change.
If August had a word assigned it (for me, at least), it would have to be faith.
Faith in the face of trepidation, faith in this imminent trudging through the last full month of summer, faith that while some things will be lost, others will be found. That there is a Rock and Protector behind and before me who has no intentions of abandonment.
I often think of the humanity of Christ. It’s an anchor point whenever I feel too human, too prone to get wrapped up in feelings rather than action or progress. Jesus had busy seasons too, a mission to accomplish and people to love. Those were long days of ministering, and even setting aside the parables, the healings, the miracles, there are simple, everyday lessons to be learned that may be able to help us through seasons of difficulty.
Jesus worked. The gospels show a Jesus who was full of an inner strength that kept Him constantly able to help, to work, to teach, to travel. He is rarely shown to have let personal needs take precedence over people who needed help. What an overwhelming task it must have felt, when—especially at that pre-gospel time—everyone needed help. What a beautiful promise to us, that the Jesus who experienced our weariness is fully capable of giving us the strength we need to carry on His holy work.
Jesus ate. I love Jesus’ friendship with His disciples and followers. Their closeness is so often shown as they break bread together and relax. I like to picture them eating an evening meal together and discussing the day, laughing and joking. I wonder how much more beautiful our corporate meals would be if we all pictured Jesus sitting at the table with us, how much rest and peace and joy would accompany that portion of the day so essential that it is part of the Lord’s prayer.
Jesus rested. It’s spoken about so much in Christian writing, but for such good reason: that moment when the storm raged and Jesus slept. We are, all of us, usually the disciples in that scenario, are we not? The winds and waves are all we can see, not how we can trust our way through them. This is perhaps the most important lesson I’m taking into August (and-the-rest-of-the-year-and-the-rest-of-my-life), that we can sleep when we are tired knowing that a Gracious God with a Good Plan watches over us, even during the storms, even when the boat is rocking, even when we have tried to walk on the waves and could not help but sink.
Jesus prayed. Prayers of thanks, prayers of supplication, prayers for others, prayers for Himself. In every single situation, Jesus prayed. His communion with the Father is shown to be constant, pure, and holy. We cannot know what kind of relationship the fully man, fully God Jesus experienced with the Father, but I think it is shown in human terms so that we can understand, at least, that this is attainable for us, too. We are given continual access to the Father so that we can grow in our personal relationship with Him, and a beautiful part of that is humbly and boldly coming to Him with everything.
I don’t know what August looks like for you. Maybe you, too, have a new semester to start, or some other stressful wonderment that you’re trying to wrap your head around surviving. Just know that whatever your season, your struggles, your joys, Jesus has walked these dusty roads before you to ensure that you will never walk yours alone.
“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:17 (esv)
This is a different sort of post for me. I feel massively under-qualified for any sort of Christian writing, but I believe that all creativity—if it comes from an open heart—is God given and inspired, so I have a feeling He wants somebody to read this, and I am humbled and grateful to be a tool in that purpose. Thank you for reading and, as always,
much love <3
It's 6:24am and I'm many days late to read this post, but it was exactly what my heart needed. Thank you so much for your words, your encouragement, and for a reminder of Jesus' closeness.