{"id":16457,"date":"2017-11-01T21:23:37","date_gmt":"2017-11-02T01:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=16457"},"modified":"2017-11-01T21:38:02","modified_gmt":"2017-11-02T01:38:02","slug":"worship-wednesday-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-ryan-stevenson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=16457","title":{"rendered":"Worship Wednesday – In the Eye of the Storm – Ryan Stevenson"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Ludolf Backhuysen<\/a><\/p>\n

On that day, when evening had come, He told them, \u201cLet\u2019s cross over to the other side of the sea.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him.\u00a0<\/span> A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.\u00a0<\/span> But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, \u201cTeacher! Don\u2019t You care that we\u2019re going to die?\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/sup>He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, \u201cSilence! Be still!\u201d<\/span> The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span> Then He said to them, \u201cWhy are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

And they were terrified and asked one another, \u201cWho then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!\u201d<\/em> – Mark 4:35-41<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

I am spent and it’s only Wednesday. We’ve all had weeks where the hours of the day didn’t cover what we needed to accomplish. Last night I couldn’t sleep thinking of what was done yesterday vs. what needed to be done, and what would have to be finished today.<\/p>\n

Just so tired.<\/p>\n

Then besides what was on my too-long to-do list, there were the pings to pray. Friends calling out with thrilling news of a new baby; other friends asking for prayer for their sick children or sick puppies. Prayers for their own storms to pass sooner than later.<\/p>\n

And I prayed. What didn’t happen was taking a meal to a friend whose husband and children had flip-flopped for days, sick from one thing or another, and she the only caregiver. What didn’t happen was a quick visit to the newest addition to another friend’s family. What didn’t happen was Fall bucket list items I wanted to accomplish with a daughter. What didn’t happen…what didn’t happen…<\/p>\n

Sheesh!<\/p>\n

What DID happen was the to-do list got accomplished, at least enough for the next step of a huge project. What DID happen was sitting down exhausted to dinner with friends in our mid-week community group, and the load lifted a bit for all of us. What DID happen was that true friends, fierce friends, knew my neglect of them wasn’t because of a lack of love but a circumstance that kept me from them. What DID happen was God, in His mercy, provided for the needs of those dear ones, by other hands. Precious other serving hands.<\/p>\n

What DID happen this week, in the storm of responsibilities and interruptions that nearly tipped my boat, was a much-needed remembering. God reminded me, through His Word, through songs, and through the encouragement of others, that none of us are in that storm-tossed boat alone. He is ever and always with us.<\/p>\n

We will make safe harbor.<\/p>\n

Worship <\/a>with me to Ryan Stevenson’s “In the Eye of the Storm<\/em>“.<\/p>\n

When the solid ground is falling out
\nFrom underneath my feet
\nBetween the black skies and my red eyes
\nI can barely see
\nWhen I realize I’ve been let down by my friends and my family
\nI can hear the rain reminding me<\/div>\n
In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
\nIn the middle of the war, You guard my soul
\nYou alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
\nYour love surrounds, me in the eye of the storm<\/div>\n
When my hopes and dreams are far from me
\nAnd I’m running out of faith
\nI see the future I pictured slowly fade away
\nAnd when the tears of pain and heartache are pouring down my face
\nI find my peace in Jesus’ name<\/div>\n
In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
\nIn the middle of the war, You guard my soul
\nYou alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
\nYour love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm<\/div>\n
When they let me go and I just don’t know
\nHow I’m gonna make ends meet
\nI did my best
\nNow I’m scared to death
\nThat we might lose everything<\/div>\n
And when a sickness takes my child away
\nAnd there’s nothing I can do
\nMy only hope is to trust You
\nI trust You LORD<\/div>\n
In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
\nIn the middle of the war, You guard my soul
\nYou alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
\nYour love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm<\/div>\n
In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
\nIn the middle of the war, You guard my soul
\nYou alone are the anchor when my sails are torn
\nYour love surrounds me in the eye of the storm.*<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
My struggle this week was small compared to many of you – with pressures I can only imagine. However, whatever the season, we can lean hard on God’s true word for us. In Him, we will lack for nothing. In Him, we have nothing to fear. In Him, there is “goodness and faithful love…all the days of [our] lives”.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u00a0The Lord<\/span> is my shepherd;<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n
\n

there is nothing I lack.<\/span><\/strong>
\nHe lets me lie down in green pastures;<\/span>
\nHe leads me beside quiet waters.<\/span>
\nHe renews my life;<\/span>
\nHe leads me along the right paths<\/span>
\nfor His name\u2019s sake.<\/span>
\nEven when I go through the darkest valley,<\/span><\/strong>
\n I fear no danger,<\/span><\/strong>
\n for You are with me;<\/span><\/strong>
\nYour rod and Your staff\u2014they comfort me.<\/span><\/p>\n

You prepare a table before me<\/span><\/span>
\nin the presence of my enemies;<\/span>
\nYou anoint my head with oil;<\/span>
\nmy cup overflows.<\/span>
\nOnly goodness and faithful love will pursue me<\/span><\/strong>
\nall the days of my life<\/strong>,<\/span>
\nand I will dwell in the house of the Lord<\/span><\/span>
\nas long as I live. – Psalm 23<\/a>
\n<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

In every storm, Jesus is in the boat with us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n