Wind & Waves
By: Kenya Gossett
Recently, God took me on a great adventure. For the last 2 weeks, I've been in the land of the Philippines doing missions work and visiting my dad, who is now living there. It was eye-opening. Heart-convicting. and a total game changer. But as I'm home and reflecting over the new life God has given, I am thankful for the small victories.
One of them will be shared today...
Now, if you know me, I'm TERRIFIED of flying.
The moment I feel turbulence, my mind will immediately play out survival scenarios if we crashed in water and if you've ever seen the show "Lost", that is also what I imagine. You may think, "what?! But you travel so much! Why are you scared?! You practically live on a plane!" Yes, and every single time, I get crippled with fear and severe panic attacks. Which is obviously not given from the Holy Spirit.
Well then I discovered a new fear of mine. Water.
Every week in the Philippines, we cross the China Sea to visit our outreach on the island of Matangib. We'll have a peaceful day, passing out rice, giving toys to the children and hearing the Word of God. It's one of my favorite places! But let's just say the waters weren't very peaceful due to raining season, and the wooden boat I was in, could easily snap. With every wave that crashed into the boat and every time the boat tilted as if it was going to flip, God was testing my faith.
and He tested my faith yet again on my returning flight to the States... We had 5 hours of severe turbulence: the kind that makes the plane drop.
As I sat there shaking and holding on for dear life: I looked to see if anyone else was concerned. But no, they were all SLEEPING. I thought they were crazy. Surely our plane was about to go down!!!
That's when the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder and was like, "hey, remember the story of Jesus on the boat? What was He doing during the storm? Sleeping. It didn't move Him. So it shouldn't move you! The timing of your life is in my hands. I'm not done with you yet!" WOW.
Let's read Matthew 8:24-26 (amplified):
“And suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping. And the disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us, we are going to die!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness].”
I think the same exact words came out of my mouth, "Jesus, save me!". I felt the same emotions the disciples experienced when they felt the waves and "turbulence". They couldn't see beyond the storm. They completely forgot that the King and Lord of all, was right there in the midst of that sea. They weren't going to die on that boat! They still had a destiny to fulfill. It wasn't their time. But the disciples had to learn the secret of having an anchored faith, and what better training ground than a near death experience! Hardship (distress, trouble) produces endurance. and endurance produces spiritual maturity. Which then produces a confident assurance.
We were created to withstand the works of the enemy: just like airplanes and boats. The designer knew that there would be moments of turbulence and stormy seas! So it needed to be built to conquer what come its way.
When God created us, He created us in His image. He anointed us with strength from on high. He sealed our destiny from the moment He breathed life into our mothers womb. He covered us with armor to ricochet fiery trials, fear, discouragement, oppression, worry, ect. But The Holy Spirit requires faith for us to see it and fully walk in it! Even if it's the size of a mustard seed: there's still SO MUCH POWER to it!
Matthew 17:19-20
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why could we not drive it out? He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
When I sat on that plane, I had to build trust in the power of God because I clearly lacked it.
I had to quickly remember every unfulfilled promise. I was going to live. My mountain was fear, and I used every ounce of faith I had left to remove it. God's past faithfulness, demanded my present truth.
So, what mountain is before you? What are the little things you struggle with? Remove it. Mute the whispers of the enemy. Tell your storm to BE STILL and let the God of peace fill you.
You have a HUGE calling and can't afford to be distracted by fear. The Lord is in your midst and He is mighty to save! The timing of your life is in His hands. Until then, live out what is written on your scroll of destiny. For Such A Time As This.
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