In one of my bible studies recently, our exercise was to tell each other which fruits of the Spirit we witnessed shining the most in each other. These fruits are given to us by the Holy Spirit that resides in us from the moment we put our faith in Jesus. They are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These fruits emerge in us as believers the more we abide in the vine; in other words, these characteristics grow in us the more we are rooted in Jesus. Both women in my group said to me that they believed they saw joy and peace shining the most in me. I was floored. Truly they could not be talking about me! They must not know me very well! I was flattered and it definitely was nice to hear those words, but I couldn't help my unbelief. Then something happened. The Lord quietly spoke to my heart, "Amy you are none of these things on your own. It is ME in you that they see and it is I who shine. It is I who give you joy and peace." And with that powerful reminder I said "Thank you," and stored away their words to meditate and reflect upon.
Biblical joy transcends circumstances. Happiness is often confused with joy. Happiness is momentary and fleeting because it has to do with feeling great when things are going right in our world. Gary Ogden in his book, Discipleship Essentials writes: "Joy can coexist with suffering and grief. Joy is stable, because it is rooted in hope. Jesus said, Take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Hope grounded in Christ's death and resurrection is knowing how the story ends. Joy is that we know there is a happy ending."
Peace is knowing that because we are God's children, He loves us and will keep his promises and will bring good out of all our circumstances -- even our negative circumstances He will turn into good (Romans 8:28). Ogden also writes, "Peace. . It is serenity from security [in God]." It is knowing that God will not leave us alone, but is at work behind the scenes of our lives for a good purpose. So why worry needlessly?
As I have reflected on Joy and Peace, I now have confidence that these fruits do shine in me. Yet, they shine not because of my own doing. It is because I have recognized how faithful God has been in my life in taking me through all of our difficult challenges over the past few years -- especially this past year.
Do you remember the story of Jesus walking on water? It occurs after Jesus's miracle of multiplying fish and loaves of bread to feed the 5000 people who had come to hear him teach. Jesus told his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to Bethsaida. In Mark 6:47-48 we read, "When evening came the boat was in the middle of the lake. . . He [Jesus] saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake." When the disciples see Jesus, they were terrified. He tells them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid!" Peter is so excited he wants to come to Jesus. Peter faithfully steps out of the boat and he walks on water for a few steps! Then he looks down and he falls into the water and begins to sink. Jesus saves him and gently rebukes him for having little faith and doubting. Jesus then calms the storm.
Charlotte Gambil gave a powerful speech at the Dare to Be women's conference that I attended recently. She said that storms often happen in the middle. She spoke of how it is in the middle of marriages when things start to get really hard. It is the middle of raising children that things get tricky. It is in the middle when life often gets messy, exhausting, and crises happen. This past year our family has been stuck in this stormy middle. My daughter's GI and fever issues; death in the family; our house falling apart and needing extensive repairs; my nephew and his brain tumor; my father-in-law's cancer; and many other crises that impact us because they involve beloved family and friends. What I realized is that through all these storms, I witnessed the Jesus who walks on water! The one who has power to calm the seas! He has all the power and authority of Heaven and Earth, and yet He loves me enough to take time to calm my personal storms. He can do that for you too.
So often we fail to see Jesus for who he really is. . . We like to envision a Jesus who sits and teaches with an open heart and open arms, who has his feet firmly planted on the ground. That is a part of who he is, but he is so much MORE! In rereading this story today, this verse struck me for the first time, "They [the disciples] were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened (Mark 6:52)." The disciples had just witnessed Jesus do countless miracles, including dividing and multiplying fish and bread to satisfy the hunger of 5000 people, with the abundance of 12 baskets left over. Yet, they doubted that Jesus could walk on water! Their view of Jesus was limited. So often our view of Jesus is limited. When we keep our view of Jesus small, we undermine his ability to intercede for us and help us when we are going through struggles. We sometimes see how he is working in other people's lives and we want the same. Yet, what this verse is saying is that when we do not understand and believe the fullness of Jesus's power, we are hardening our own hearts against him. When we do so, we will not recognize him when he does come, just as the disciples did not recognize Jesus on the water.
I am confident now that the fruits of Joy and Peace in me are because I have encountered Jesus who walks on water! I have experienced His calm and peace that transcends all understanding. I have witnessed miracles in my own life and in the life of my nephew. I was healed from Trigeminal Neuralgia. My nephew is walking and running now after having hemi-paralysis from brain tumor surgery. Even in the smaller trials of everyday life I witness Jesus calming my storms of anxiety. He is the anchor that keeps me steady and afloat instead of drifting despite whatever life throws at me. I am not saying I'm perfect. I have moments of doubt and sink just like Peter. Yet, I know and believe with all my heart that my Lord will always catch me in his arms and rescue me, just as he did for Peter.
I don't know what storms you are facing in the middle of your life. Whatever it is, I encourage you to cast your eyes on Jesus. Know and believe that Jesus can and does walk on water. He is the one who also rose from the dead! He is alive! Nothing is impossible for him. If you know that and believe it with all your heart, peace and joy -- that truly is not of this world -- will come upon you. The circumstances of your life might not change, but Jesus will calm that storm inside of you. His Joy and Peace will carry you through the most difficult of challenges today, tomorrow, and always.
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