Do You Bring the Storm?

We settled into our seats with the kids for the Wednesday evening chapel service at the orphanage, and a member of our mission team stood to give the message.

The theme for the week was all things fish: fishers of men, fishes and loaves, the miraculous catch, and of course, Jonah and the big fish. Jonah’s story was the basis of the message.

Our team member did a great job relating the time-tested lessons of God’s choosing mercy over judgment that we often hear when we hear a message on Jonah. There was nothing wrong with his message. Nothing. But then Poppa, Orphanage Emmanuel’s founding father, got up to say a few words before closing with a prayer.

He said, “Do you bring the storm?”

I sat up and leaned in, listening a little more attentively. I’d never heard this take on Jonah before.

Jonah was a prophet in the Old Testament who received a word from the Lord to go preach to the hated enemy of Israel, the Ninevites. In absolute disobedience, Jonah ran away. Jonah headed the opposite direction from where he was supposed to go: Nineveh.

Jonah hired a ship and a crew of sailors. The ship set sail, and Jonah went below deck for a nap, thinking all was well. Above deck, however, the sailors were frantically trying to keep the ship from sinking as a sudden, violent storm threatened their lives.

In the ancient world, ships didn’t sail year-round. There were stormy seasons and sailing seasons. We know from the story that it was sailing season, so the storm was exceptionally frightening to the sailors. They concluded that someone on board was responsible for their situation, and Jonah was identified as the guilty party.

Jonah’s decision to live in disobedience to the Lord had brought the storm, not only into his life, but into the lives of the sailors as well. This was Poppa’s point for us: disobedience to the Lord will bring storms.

This caused me to stop and evaluate my actions and attitudes. Am I a havoc-wreaking presence?

Maybe.

How does my need to control plans, events, and outcomes cause stress for others demonstrate a lack of trust in them and frustrate them?

How does my pride or lack of respect or honor result in hurt feelings and strained (or even ended) relationships?

How does my drive for financial success affect the lives of my family? Who pays the price?

How does my angry outburst at the driver of a car in front of me affect my passenger?

Disobedience to the Lord can take many forms. The resulting storms can look like anything. Some are small, minor irritations that quickly pass. Others are larger and linger for a long time. Sometimes we cause the storm, and sometimes we are like the sailors, wondering what we did to deserve the storm.

Jonah didn’t immediately own up to being the cause. But when the lot fell to him, the repercussions for his disobedience fell heavy upon him. He knew he was to blame. Jonah didn’t want the sailors to be harmed because of his actions. I doubt any of us wants to live a life that brings such chaos, but that’s what happens when we live in disobedience to the Lord.

Jonah knew the only way to calm the storm was for him to quit living in disobedience. By asking the sailors to throw him overboard, Jonah submitted his will to God’s will. Calm descended upon the sea and the ship.

The decision to live in obedience will bring the calm.

Poppa’s question challenges me every day. Will I speak harshly or gently? Will I execute judgment or extend grace? Will I exhibit anger, pride, and greed, or will I embody love, kindness, and self-control?

Living in obedience to the Lord doesn’t insulate us from trials and storms. We will have troubles. But our obedience will mitigate the storms we bring upon ourselves and others and position us to be carriers of calm.

That’s who and what I want to be.

Denise Roberts is a wife, mom, and joyful soon to be mother-in-law. She loves sharing a good cup of coffee on her back deck with friends and morning snuggles from her 100-lb. chocolate lab, Hudson. She writes with a passion to share how to live holy, where faith and life intersect. Connect with her at www.deniseroberts.org.