Lord, since we are perishing, rise up in the shipwreck/Of this world at night.

- Moucan, Prayers (Irish, 8th-9th century)

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.

- Matthew 8.24

Really, how much worse can things get?

We've recently endured the worst winter, the worst spring, and the hottest, dryest summer in years. The economy is tanking. Politicians are running around everywhere blaming everyone but themselves. Hurricane Irene is threatening the entire east coast. And the spiritual climate in America is turning uncordial toward the followers of Christ.

Where's Jesus when we need Him? Asleep in the back of the boat? Does He take pleasure in our misery, uncertainty, and fear?

Of course not. He's simply waiting for us to turn to Him for the salvation only He can bring. Our text tells us (v. 25) that all the disciples went to Jesus to wake Him. Apparently they'd given up trying to manage the boat. Everything they knew had failed them. None of their skills or wits, none of their tried-and-true techniques, could prevail against the storm.

Because the "sleeping" Lord had sent this storm to drive them to Him, pleading for their lives. When they did, He was happy to comply.

The Lord may seem to be sleeping in the midst of the storms that are raging all around us. But He has sent these storms. We have become so used to doing the Lord's work by smooth programs, well-funded budgets, and in all the best facilities, that we've failed to see that none of these, nor all of them together, have stilled the troubled waters of our sinking society. Nevertheless, we keep running our programs and spending our money on ourselves - sailing our churches along amid the fray, hoping the storms "out there" won't really affect us.

But they do. They are. And we will not be able to budget or program or facilities our way out of this mess.

We need to go as one body, one people, to the Lord and plead with Him to deliver us. If we continue trying more programs or changes in the liturgy or adjustments in staff or facilities, thinking these are the way to advance the Kingdom of God, the Lord will simply sit by and wait until the utter futility of such nonsense settles on us with a thud.

He's waiting for us to come to Him. Every day. All of us. Pleading for revival, shaking Him from His "slumber" and admitting as we do our failed plans and ploys and crying out to Him to do what only He can do.

These storms pass. They always do. But unless we seek the Lord in the midst of the storm, it may pass over our heads, rather than become calm beneath us. Jesus is troubling the waters of the world to drive His people to seek Him for revival.

And that means you and me. And that means now.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.