SPEAKER_00: Today, as we pause our daily schedule and turn our attention and focus to the Lord, take a few deep breaths and imagine you are pressing a bright red pause button.
SPEAKER_00: Relax your shoulders, unlock your jaw, take another deep breath.
SPEAKER_00: Do you remember the story in Mark IV, where Jesus calms a raging literal storm?
SPEAKER_00: Even the winds and waves respond to the voice of Jesus.
SPEAKER_00: Creation listens to him, and so can we.
SPEAKER_00: His authority brings peace.
SPEAKER_00: In the story, everyone on the boat is afraid for their very lives, hysterical, panicked.
SPEAKER_00: But Jesus stands and shouts into the darkness and sideways rain, quiet, be still.
SPEAKER_00: And the storm, without hesitation, calms to still water and bright skies.
SPEAKER_00: In a moment, because Jesus spoke, and those with him say to each other, Who is this?
SPEAKER_00: Even the wind and the waves obey him.
SPEAKER_00: This is our Savior, our Lord, our friend, our redeemer, our deliverer.
SPEAKER_00: Take fifteen seconds to praise Jesus for his authority, the one whose voice calms storms.
SPEAKER_00: Now, tell Jesus about the storms in your life.
SPEAKER_00: What situation feels dark?
SPEAKER_00: What area feels pelted on all sides?
SPEAKER_00: What relationship feels rocky?
SPEAKER_00: What outcome feels unstable?
SPEAKER_00: Talk to the storm ender.
SPEAKER_00: Talk to the storm tamer.
SPEAKER_00: Talk to the one who can see through the dark clouds, who is unaffected by the raging winds, who, in a moment, calls the rain to stop from falling.
SPEAKER_00: Ask him to speak peace.
SPEAKER_00: Be still over your situation, your mind, your emotions.
SPEAKER_00: Amen.