the joy in Christ

Jesus Calms the Storm

23 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples.24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26 Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
27 The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey him!"

matthew 8

last night i had an amazing conversation with thuy. we were just talking about how scared we were about the future. and we know we shouldn't be but it creeps up on us sometimes, you know? she was sharing about her dream life and everything she wanted since she was a little girl and i shared what i wanted. then i realized that that was the point. we were only sharing about what we wanted. God was nowhere to be found in the picture, yeah, i would maybe be in full time ministry and she would be with me but we weren't even focused on that, we were focused on our comfort! hypocrite, i know! i finally got to the point where i started bawling my eyes out because i didn't know if she would still want to be with me if we didn't end up where she had always dreamed. and i came to the conclusion that i didn't care where i would end up, as long as i had her and God, i was golden. something i have to remember to put in my vows when i marry this girl. =] but i totally forgot about the joy that, as Christ followers, we should have! no matter what happens, there is hope and something to rejoice over. Jesus has conquered the world! if everything goes down the drain in this life, honestly, it's ok. because we're still blessed beyond imagination!! i'm blessed beyond my wildest dreams. i don't deserve anything that God gives to me freely. and i will forever be grateful for everything that i've received. i was telling thuy that if kids in africa or other third world countries can have something to smile about because they have the Gospel, then our lives should be able to be filled with laughter and joy living in a dinky, little apartment. we have it so good! and i guess this little anecdote goes into this passage as well. =]

honestly, i have so many instances where i'm one of the disciples who have such little faith in God. that's why i worry about the future. that's why i don't know if i should trust God to take care of me. that's why i feel like God has to take care of me to MY standards instead of surrendering to His. and then i remember. because He's the one who calms the winds and the waves. He's the one who is in charge. He won't let me drown. He won't let me be blown away. how could i ever doubt Him?? He loves me. He loves us. and it may not seem like that to a lot of people. but to us, who have the mind of Christ, who have the Holy Spirit, who have been changed by His love, it's a beautiful thing. =]