Jimbo's Jots

Ebb and flow is defined as a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going or decline and regrowth. If you have stood at a shore you understand this. The waves come in and out. And the enjoyment in experiencing the ebb and flow of the water whether river, lake or ocean is the peacefulness we experience.

At the same time, we will go through the ebb and flow of life and really struggle with the constant change. We don’t feel at peace when this happens. We get tossed around emotionally and spiritually. Just within the last week, I have witnessed and participated in the baptism of my nephew and a college friend reached out to help with honoring the life of her mother who passed away recently.

The ebb and flow of life sometimes is far from peaceful. In fact, sometimes, we feel like the disciples in the midst of a storm. In Mark’s account of the story (chapter 4), Jesus wants to get away from the crowds and encourages the disciples to go across the sea. However a storm brewed up – a storm so strong, even the disciples were frightened. “Frantically they wakened him, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to drown?”” (Mark 4:38, The Living Bible) Here is some irony – four of the disciples were experienced fishermen. Wouldn’t they have known how to handle a storm on the sea?

Jesus gets up and rebukes the storm. The water gets immediately calm and the skies clear. The ebb and flow of the water returns to “normal”. Jesus then turns to his disciples and asks them why they were so fearful. He adds, “Don’t you even yet have confidence in me?” (4:40, TLB)

As we experience life with its ebb and flow, here are a couple of reminders:

• Jesus is near – even when we think he is not or he may be “asleep”, he is ready
• Jesus speaks calm – when we call upon the name of Jesus, it brings peace. Because when he speaks, his very words bring calm to the chaos of our lives.

As you experience the ebb and flow of life, remember that Jesus is ready to calm your storms.

Be blessed in the ebb and flow! Be a blessing to others in their storms!