Transforming our "Storms"

In my approaching 12 years as a follower of God and believer in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, I have battled with religion. I've hated it, yet conformed to it. It was my identity, my practice, my community.  I studied it, adored it, compared one to another, and wrestled with what it meant for me personally. A few weeks ago I heard a well-respected pastor in LA, Jennifer Toledo, say that "Christianity is a practice, not a religion." How relieving! Another quote from a spiritual leader said, "All religions are the same; they teach us right from wrong." So then, if they're all the same, what stirs up so much tension amongst them? How can we really "do right" if there are so many contradictions and separations among these differentiating beliefs? And even within the dome of "Christianity", there are many different practices and divisions. Because of this, "Religion" has become a very ugly word in my experience.

With that being said, what I have experienced is, Yeshua is NOT a religion. The Anointed One, Creator of the Universe, cannot be summed up inside of a religion. 

I grew up in the Jewish tradition, and jumped from one religion to another- not without cost- until I was set free from what I learned to be a religious spirit. Since then, I daily learn to walk in the unforced rhythms of grace offered me by God Himself. Since this deliverance experience, I've walked a fine line, wanting spiritual community, seeking God, and wondering how to represent the fullness of freedom in my life in a way that might help lead others into this same freedom. Living in the United States in this day and time, a country with a nickname "The Land of the Free", I see a type of freedom that leaves people feeling trapped. False freedom is bondage. So then, how can we practice freedom, practice following the Truth, the Way, the Life, and not fall into the little nuances of religious teaching? And if we consider Christianity as a practice, could we say the same thing about Judaism, Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism? Where might the Liberating King be found within those practices?

In this practice, I consider how we interpret the Bible as a collective community. This Book, the Word of God, is without flaw, fully Truth, powerful and alive; but I wonder if the stories we hear from it become common, surface-level interpretations? One example is the story of Yeshua walking on top of the water in the "storm". He actually walks on water more than once in the accounts of the Gospels, and a classic teaching is that God is able to walk upon/have authority over the storms of our lives, or give us peace in our storm. I'm not saying this isn't true, a valid or applicable message for our "storms of life". Have you ever wondered if, perhaps, the storm isn't bad, chaotic, or dangerous at all? Do "storms" have to be something in our lives that cause fear, panic, turmoil? What if the storm isn't bad, but simply the "Spirit stirring up the waters" in a way that is meant to stir up our hearts toward the Presence and Peace of God - towards transformation, spontaneous and instant transportation into a new realm, sphere of influence, physical or spiritual place, etc.? 

When Jesus walks on top of the water, I wonder if it is really even a storm. 

Here's the story:

Jesus Walks on Water

After waiting until evening for Jesus to return, the disciples went down to the lake. But as darkness fell, he still hadn't returned, so the disciples got into a boat and headed across the lake to Capernaum. By now a strong wind began to blow and was stirring up the waters. The disciples had rowed about halfway across the lake when all of a sudden they caught sight of Jesus walking on top of the waves, coming toward them. The disciples panicked, but Jesus called out to them, "Don't be afraid. You know who I am."

They were relieved to take him in, and the moment Jesus stepped into the boat, they were instantly transported to the other side!

John 6: 16-21 (The Passion Translation)

In this story, I see the disciples waiting for Jesus, but, when they wait and wait without seeing Him, they start off on their journey without Him. How often we do the same thing- get tired in the waiting, and move without His movement, guidance, leading or instruction! There's no mention of a storm here, just a wind stirring up water. Wind or "Ruach" is the same word for Spirit. Did you know that when the Spirit blows, things happen? In the beginning, the Ruach was hovering over the waters, and God spoke. Creation happened. The Breath-Wind of God creates life and goodness! Not storms. 

When the disciples see Jesus walking on the water, they panicked. Panic means: a sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often causing wildly unthinking behavior. Do we assume they are panicked because of the "storm"? It's dark, they're in the middle of a lake, and out of nowhere the wind picks up and the waters move. But weren't these people great fishermen, acquainted with the waters? Weren't they experts in boating and navigating the seas? I wonder if their panic wasn't about the storm at all, but in seeing their friend- whom last they saw climbing up a mountain- appear in front of them on top of the water. Jesus wasn't in a boat. He was WALKING. I wonder if their panic was simply a shock at seeing their friend and teacher in the middle of the night, in the lake. Perhaps they felt concerned for his safety, surprised at his coming, or afraid he would drown amidst the wind and waves. Maybe they just didn't recognize his supernatural ability in that moment and lost faith that the impossible (walking on water) could happen right before their eyes! Or maybe they panicked because they realized they had been trying to move without His help and leadership, without His presence. They had, in fact, set off on the lake and left Jesus behind on the shore.  

But then, relief comes. They hear His voice. They know who He is. They welcome Him into their boat. And then another miraculous thing happens: they are immediately transported halfway across the lake! 

This is why I wonder about the "storm". We start our projects, pursue our plans, and make it only halfway before our faith waivers, or we forget, or we remember that we forgot the most important thing! There may be an appearance of a storm that comes, but it may just be the Spirit stirring us to remember we can't do anything without His help. What appears to be a storm is actually just a reminder that we need Yeshua to do what we can't do. We need His miracles. We need His transformation and His guidance. We need His leadership, His timing, and His deliverance. We need the supernatural to intersect our natural existence!

I encourage you to reread this story. What is the Spirit stirring in you? Is there something in your life that is being disguised as "false freedom"? What kind of "storm" is presenting itself to you in this season, and is there a way for you to invite the Spirit Wind of God to give you a new perspective? Has something in your life caused panic? Let's invite His presence and His help. Let's respond to a constant, unyielding invitation into freedom!