It wasn’t long after the disciples were getting over Jesus dealing with the storms on the outside, that they witnessed Jesus dealing with storms on the inside.
The man could not be tamed. He could not be shackled. His home was among the dead and his reputation was known throughout the area. One of those kinda guys you wouldn’t want vulnerable people to let near. As it turns out to say he was possessed would be an understatement. This guy was evidently tormented big time within.
And reading about that kind of situation makes me wonder.
Makes me wonder about those who won’t manifest it as obviously, but are struggling because of the torment within. The storms inside raging leaving that person feel so conflicted and thrown left to right and up and down. Nothing settled, everything in turmoil. Nothing at rest, everything upended. Culture tells them to get themselves together and put on a brave face. If they cannot take it, they’ll be quietly shunted out of polite society and left to their own devices.
It’s for someone else to sort out – the state or those private organisations that should be able to afford it. Best to leave these types to pity and hopefully neglect and ignore.
As far as Jesus was concerned, though, this kinda guy was worth going through a storm. This guy was worth leaving the crowds. This guy was worth the reaction He would face. This guy was worth it, because it wasn’t for this guy to live with the torment of being so afflicted by the storms within. It’s one thing telling the winds and the waves to calm down. It’s an even more incredible miracle to see a man so tormented, so radically delivered and encouraged to share that good news with others.
I look at that whole picture of a man who would brave the storms on the outside to come and deal with the storms that are going on the inside. I look at that and am blown away by that degree of love the Father has for me.
I also hope and pray that I’ll be a part of and get to here stories of others who had those storms experience the restorative and reviving power of Jesus Christ.
(Photo by nikko macaspac on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 