When Others See You In The Storm

Karen

All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god.

—Jonah 1:5

My friend, Cindy, and I sat stunned in our seats as our flight began its final descent to the airport. The pilot had just announced that there was a possible malfunction in the landing gear and it could be jammed, unable to open properly. He instructed us to tighten our seatbelts and assured us emergency vehicles would be on the runway ready to help if there were trouble.

My heart raced as I feared for us. But by God’s grace, the landing gear became unstuck, and we landed safely.

A group of seafarers had a similarly scary trip on an ancient ship headed to Tarshish, which is likely modern-day Spain. On the vessel was a passenger named Jonah. Yes, that Jonah—the one who wound up inside the belly of a big fish after he ran away from God and failed to do what He’d asked him to. Once Jonah was aboard the ship, the Lord caused a mighty storm that lurched the ship brutally upon the crashing whitecaps. The valiant mariners, who were used to sailing in storms, became tremendously frightened, each crying out to his own god.

When the idols did not answer, the seamen took matters into their own hands, flinging cargo overboard to lighten the boat. But neither the squall nor their anxieties subsided. They then cast lots to see which passenger onboard had caused the storm. When it fell to Jonah, he fessed up about being a runaway, urging them to promptly toss him overboard.

The sailors didn’t do it at first; instead, they rowed all the harder. Finally, they granted Jonah’s request. When the storm instantaneously waned, they were overwhelmed by God’s enormous power, offered a sacrifice to Him, and pledged to serve Him from then on.

The sailors started out fearing the storm. But finally, these rough-and-tumble guys stopped fearing the elements and began to fear God instead when they witnessed Jonah choosing to admit his fault and do what was right.

How might others in your life—who are in fear of their circumstances and futilely placing trust in false things—come to fear and revere God when they see you acting in obedience today, even in the midst of whatever storm you’re currently caught in?

Father God, may I not run the other direction when You ask me to obey. Empower me to make godly choices and use my obedience to point others to You no matter the storm I am facing. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Are you are facing a storm in life right now? Use the space provided to write out a prayer to God asking Him to help you choose obedience in the midst of the turmoil and use your behavior to help others to revere and worship Him.