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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Calm (emotionally) (09/13/07)
Although it was the blood curdling scream for "Help" that awakened me, it was the sound of gunshots shattering the stillness of the night that got me out of bed, on my feet and to the window.

What now? I thought for the zillionth time as I looked out my sixth floor window to the darkened street below, This neighborhood is becoming a regular War Zone.

The street was empty; likewise the park, but both eerily dark and quiet. I thought of calling 911, but evidently somebody beat me to it, because I could hear the welcome and comforting sound of a police siren wailing in the distance as it sped steadily in our direction...help was on its way.

Relieved, I crawled back into bed and for the umpteenth time this week was lulled back to sleep by the flashing red and blue lights that flickered and danced across my ceiling as the emergency vehicles took care of business down on the street below.

I can already hear the disbelief..."You mean you went back to bed without finding out what happened outside your window?"

Well, it's like this. After watching live episodes of "Law & Order, Cops and Hit & Run" from my rear window, commercial-free, for weeks and months on end, crime and criminals become downright boring. Violence, you see, is prevalent in my neck of the woods, and according to the News, it has affected every city, town and country across the globe; and if that isn't enough excitement for you, surf your TV for more violence, 24/7, non-stop!

Perhaps this explanation will clue you in to my "Ho Hum" and "yawn, yawn" type attitude toward crime and violence. I much prefer "sawing logs" to watching another boring re-run. After all, violence, war, death, wickedness and sin is the norm for our little wayward planet called Earth, Right? Thanks to... you know who? I wonder if it's a sin to hate that snake-in-the-grass, or rather snake "in the tree" for lousing up a beautiful planet that God had created just for us?!

Meanwhile...back to the flashing lights on my ceiling that were mesmerizing; I began thinking about a violent storm at sea which happened many years ago, but is vaguely similar to my incident tonight.

Jesus, like me, was awakened in the middle of the night by frantic shouts for "Help". but it wasn't a stranger, it was His disciples. It seems they were being tossed about by giant waves and winds which were threatening to capsize their boat, and they were frightened.

Weary and tired from a long day of walking and teaching the people, Jesus had found a cushion in the stern of the ship and was chalking up some well deserved Z's when His disciples awakened him shouting, "Master, don't you care if we drown?"

Needless to say, Jesus calmly stood up and said to the wind and waves, "Peace! Be still" and then with the wind quiet and the sea calm, Jesus asked His disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

And then, of course, (typical of a writer) I envision Jesus lying back down on the cushion, closing His eyes, and calmly going back to chalking up some more Z's.

I ask you, Is that cool, calm and collected...or what?

Smiling, I take one last glimpse of the flashing lights on my ceiling, then I too close my eyes, count my blessings which consist of one less day on planet Earth and one more day closer to Heaven...and then, just like my Hero, Lord and Savior, I calmly drift off to sleep.



Reference:
(Mark 4:35-41 NIV) "Peace, be still".
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This article has been read 1676 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Janice Cartwright
09/20/07
A good story and a good lesson. The scripture you used is one of my favorite Jesus stories and one I sometimes call upon when I feel un-calm. I think it is because it incorporates His humanity and God-nature so masterfully in one tidy sentence.
Jan Ackerson
09/21/07
Yikes, I'd love to have your attitude toward those sirens and lights!

This is exactly the way a devotional should be written...really engaging "hook", short and to-the-point lesson, compelling voice.
Dee Yoder
09/22/07
It's an interesting and well written devotional. I kinda am depressed about it, though. I'm too Polly Anna-ish, I guess. I don't want to get used to gunshots, sirens, hurting people, and all that junk. Yes, I'm mad at Satan, too. I wonder, though, how much light we're spreading to such a dark world and we've had 2000 years holding, maybe hording, the Answer, too.
Joy Faire Stewart
09/24/07
This is a creative way of weaving violence into the calming account of Jesus on the sea. Very interesing writing.
Joanne Sher 
09/26/07
Love the voice - and this is amazingly engaging. Excellent, unique perspective. Love it.
c clemons
09/27/07
Loved the writing, but hated the attitude. Jesus DID something when the disciples called out to him. You asked "what can I do?" Why not pray? That's the most important thing anybody can do. After that you can do like Jesus and go back to sleep, It might just be your prayer that makes a difference.