He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39
I have to stop listening to the news because I get frustrated with the foolish ideas and thoughts that we hear from so many people. There are so many topics that are twisted to fit what someone wants us to believe and the fake anger that we see about issues is getting out of control. I keep having the thought that, as a society, we are going backwards. I know I can sometimes seem like a negative person but I hope you will see my positivity about the world we live in today. Not positive like, “I am positive these people are stupid”, but positive that God has always been in control and will continue to be until His Son returns for us.
As
a country, many people of all colors and nationalities have worked to overcome
the racial hatred that has existed in our world since the beginning of
time. Anyone who has those beliefs is
simply ignorant. It is certainly not my
place to judge another, and I have plenty of areas of my life that need
correcting. But, I do not believe a
person can have a relationship with the Creator of all life if he or she does
not believe that He created all life. It
often seems like we are headed back to a time where, if you listen to the news,
one man hates another because of the color of his skin, where he lives, or what
he believes. These beliefs are as
equally wrong today as they were 100 years ago.
Why do we not see the ignorance in our own thoughts? Have we become so educated, rich, or out of
touch that we believe everything we think?
Or, have we become so ignorant, poor in character, or distanced from
reality that we believe everything someone else thinks?
Jamie
and I have been at the beach for the last couple of days and it always reminds
me that we are never in control.
Yesterday a storm came through the area and I was amazed at the size of
the waves and the strength of the wind.
This morning I walked to the beach and was amazed at how calm the ocean
was only a few hours later. Most of all
it reminds me that what seems out of control to us is being easily controlled
by our Heavenly Father. Not only did He
create the mighty oceans of the world and all that lives within them, but He,
with only a word, can calm the waves. If
He can control the wind and waves of something that can so easily destroy us,
how much easier is it for Him to control my simple life. The ocean reminds me that He is always in
control of everything. He already knows
the good that He has blessed me with but He also knows the stormy days that may
be ahead and is also preparing me for those.
I
have to be reminded that He is in control and needs me to trust Him. He knows that our world is and will continue
to be filled with lost people with sinful beliefs. The positive part that I want you to see is
that He knew today would happen long before we existed. He knew the storm would blow across the ocean
last night and He knew the waters and wind would be calm this morning. He needs me to trust Him regardless of the
craziness I hear on the news. He has an amazing plan for
you that will include many lost people who need to see Him through
you. He needs us all to remember that we
are a vital part of His plan and to trust that He already knows the storms that
are coming and the calm days that will follow.
We
can rest in the assurance that He knew exactly what our world would be like
today. He knew who would be here, the
issues we are facing, and that our world would still be full of lost
people. He also knew that we would all
be here. He knew we would have locker
rooms full of young men who need a coach to care for and guide them. He knew there would be classrooms full of
small children who need a teacher who cares for them far beyond the daily
lessons. He knew there would be a
community whose members often depend on a sport to add excitement to their days
and guidance for their sons. He also
knew a simple “football family” would be in a position to influence that
community far past the stadium and Friday nights. He also knew there would be a head coach and
his wife who want to have an influence far beyond a single season, but will
certainly need His guidance.
I
have to remind myself, especially on those days when I have listened to far too
much news, that He knew today was coming and, most importantly, knew that we
would all be here. The Creator of the world,
who can calm the mighty oceans, also knows I am sitting at my desk writing a
letter to all of you guys at this exact moment in time.
Love you guys!
