Peace, Be Still

"Then He arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm." - Mark 4:39

The holiday season is upon us. This should be a time of excitement, laughter, togetherness, and joy, yet I find myself closed off, and shut down, working extremely hard to avoid people and the questions that loom during the idle conversation.

This season is new for my husband and me as we adjust to life with our oldest son living away from home. Even though I know he's accomplishing amazing things in the military, my selfish side would rather have him home with us. I want him here so I can laugh at his corny jokes, watch him roll his eyes at me, and make sarcastic remarks about my cooking.

You may can relate.

Maybe you wish to hear your father's voice one last time or hug your mom again. Perhaps you desire to hold your unborn child or kiss your grandmother on the cheek. Maybe you long to hear your sister's laughter after many years of silence. Perhaps you want to talk to your child on the phone, knowing this is impossible because his life was cut short. You may wish for your family to unite without all the fuss, greed, and envy that tore you apart. Or you are looking to mend a broken relationship only to find out the other party has written you off.

Whatever you are facing this holiday season, I can relate to your pain and heartache. It is debilitating. Paralyzing. Mind-numbing. Depressive.

Jesus could relate to this feeling of sadness. Remember when his friend Lazarus died?

Please allow me to share some truth from a chapter in my latest devotional book, Dwell with Me, entitled "Peace."

In John chapter 11, we find the disciples upset at the thought of Jesus returning to Judea after hearing that Lazarus was sick. The disciples were concerned that the Jews sought to stone Him to death, according to John 11:8. But Jesus, following the will of His Father, did not let the thought of stoning keep Him from going to His friend.

By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days (John 11:17). Many people gathered around his sisters, Mary and Martha, "to comfort them concerning their brother" (John 11:19).

Martha quickly met Jesus and told Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now, I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You" (John 11:21-22). He assures her, "Your brother will rise again" in John 11:23. But where was Mary?

She was in the house, grieving.

Martha secretly entered the house, probably to keep the multitudes at bay, to inform Mary that Jesus was calling for her (John 11:28). "As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him" (John 11:29). Her reaction makes it clear her relationship with the Savior. She loved Him and desired to draw physically near to Him. What did Mary say to Jesus?

“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:32). She responded similarly to Martha. Did Jesus scold her for speaking to Him in this manner? No. He felt her pain. John 11:33 says, "He was groaned in His spirit and troubled," which led to the famous verse "Jesus wept" in John 11:35.

If Jesus is omniscient and all-knowing, why didn't He choose to save Lazarus? Does He desire to see His children hurting? No. God planned for Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead, which He did (John 11:44). He waited, knowing this event would not only represent His death and resurrection but also begin His journey to the cross. Remember, Jesus was always about His Father's business.

Why did I share this passage with you? I wanted to remind you that God still controls your situation. He has a purpose and a plan for you. He's not finished with you yet. He desires to bring comfort to you.

If you feel down this holiday season, cry out to Jesus like Mary and Martha. He longs to hear from His children in good times and times of need. Praise Him. Talk to Him. Ask Him. His arms are open wide, waiting to hear from you. Let Him give you a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7).

I can allow my son's absence to discourage me, or I can look to my past and see all the memories from these past eighteen years. I can also look to the future to see what great work God will complete through our journey. Maybe God is showing me how to reach others affected by grief, which led me to write this post today and, eventually, another devotional book. God may want to use me and my husband to minister to military families in our community.

What about you? God chose you, of all people, to walk through this fire. Why? How can you use your situation to impact the lives of others? I would love to hear how God has turned your despair into joy and how it changed the lives of others.

Also, take out your Bible. If it's been a while, that's okay. Get a napkin, dust it off, and turn to The Psalms. This book is excellent to read when traveling down a road of tragedy.

If I can pray for you in any way, please get in touch with me. ~ Whit