Jesus in the Chaos

Note: Pictured is my student from 3 years ago. The one I refer to as "Sweet Little One." I have watched her grow and change in the last few years. What a blessing! 

Jesus In the Chaos

Luke 8:22-25 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”  So they got into a boat and started out.  As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap.  But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake.  The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.  The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, were going to drown!”  When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves.  Suddenly the storm stopped, and all was calm.  Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”  

How do I trust Jesus amid the chaos?  

It is that time of year again and school is starting back up. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or student this can be hard because it is the start of a new school year. As a former preschool teacher, having the youngest of the preschoolers always came with unique challenges for me. Some kids never had been around anyone other than mom and dad. Some had never been in a classroom with strangers and a room full of their peers. As difficult as that time was I knew eventually they would get used to it. I would tell mom and dad, “Don’t worry, eventually they are going to love it and won’t want to leave.” But that always took time. About the second week as I was leaving for work my husband commented that I looked stressed.  I hadn’t said anything to indicate that, but he could see it written all over my face. I was already anticipating the very busy transitioning preschoolers that I was going to encounter that morning.

As I began to open that door for those sweet little ones that were in the process of learning to trust us, and that mom was going to come back my phone texted. “How can I pray for you?”  My faithful prayer partner was there as if she was in the very room that soon would hold all those anxious preschoolers.  I responded, “That I would allow Jesus into the chaos.”  

I can’t recall how many times he showed up that morning. He was invited time and time again. We had a new one that was starting, and he was upset because the others were crying.  The anxiousness that others were showing he was beginning to notice and starting to react to. I had one that I had renamed “Sweet Little One”, this precious one had the power to get me to question if I was equipped for this and she was back so strong and fighting not wanting to stay that morning. The little curly headed one just clutched her blanket holding on to it until the end of the day. And one that was starting to trust had been there the previous class and decided she didn’t want to be there today. Comforting, holding, and speaking soft words to them and reassuring them. We made it another day. Chaos but we made it. 

In order to get past the crying, they must learn to trust us and know that we will take care of them. I would always tell the parents, “The sooner you trust us the sooner they will trust us.” 

Those years teaching preschoolers taught me so much but one of my biggest takeaways was Jesus will take care of me when I am surrounded by chaos.  Only time allowing Him into all of it can I develop that understanding of that kind of relationship. The one that says I trust you even in the unknowns. 

There were moments in that classroom when the storm calmed down and then moments when it started back up. Just like in my life.  Just like standing in my kitchen anticipating the chaos with the look written all over my face. Because we forget and take our eyes off Jesus and put them on the fierce winds and crashing waves and say, “Master, Master, I am going to die.” But the Master says, “I am the One who commands the winds and waves to obey.” So why do I forget that? Instead of trusting being a knee jerk reaction I am like that little one that feeds off others sometimes. I start to listen to all the scary things around me and my heart begins to respond to what I see. Or I am like the one who clutches her blanket holding on to what I want instead of releasing my grip for the Lord to provide. Jesus tells me trust me. Give it all to me. I will calm you.

Fear is always at the root of it, at least that is where my thoughts go. The comfort of Jesus being in the boat with the disciples and they still were scared. I’m like those disciples sometimes and rely on my understanding instead of looking to His reassurance.  We might not say I am going to die like the disciples but maybe it is fail. The thing about fear is the enemy wants us to dismiss it and hide it away. Even saying that word fear is this assumption of not having it all together. And the truth is we never will. It is a process of acknowledging it, surrendering it, and replacing it with God’s Authoritative Word. “Father, you tell me not to fear because you have all the Authority.” Exchanging my truth for His truth day in and day out. Asking the Holy Spirit what is in our hearts that needs to be brought into the Light.

Where have you allowed the enemy to speak fear into your chaos? Tell the Lord and allow Him to calm you. 

Master,

That name brings to my heart Authority. Master over our thoughts, Lord. Call out those things that we attempt to hide away.  When we forget, remind us. When we begin to look at the dangers, remind us. We live in this world knowing that we can be secure in your hands knowing that no matter what you are with us. It is because of the chaos that you can reign and rule in our hearts and minds. Leaning into you is the reason for knowing you are the Commander of our hearts. We get to see your goodness each day. Jesus thank you for your Holy Spirit that leads us and guides us. We are never alone. You are always with us.

Thank you, Jesus.