Thursday, July 12, 2007

Jesus' Calm, Quiet Confidence

Have you ever had a season of being drawn to a particular quality in Jesus? I am always impressed by His compassion and patience. However, over the past couple of weeks I have been also noticing His calm, quiet confidence and am wanting more and more to emulate that characteristic.

When Jesus was a boy He stayed behind at the Temple in Jerusalem while Mary and Joseph, unknowingly, went on without Him. Discovering they were missing Jesus, Mary and Joseph went back to look for Him. Finding Jesus in the Temple Mary said, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxioulsy searching for you." (Luke 2:48) And Jesus responded (as I read it) very calmly, perhaps matter-of-factly, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49)
And in Luke 4 when Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, I see Him - again - responding confidently as He relies on the Word of God.
In Luke 5 Jesus calls the first disciples and I am again drawn to His confidence. Jesus tells Simon to put out the boat, drop the net to catch fish (though the men had been working hard all night without any success), and when the men are shaking at Jesus' feet He simply says, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." (Luke 5:10b)
Finally, this morning I was reading Mark 4:35-41 where Jesus calms the storm. In the midst of the storm Jesus was asleep on a cushion, not because He didn't care but because He simply wasn't afraid. In calm, quiet confidence Jesus commanded the wind and waves to calm down and they did just as He said.

I noticed when there was turmoil around Him (Mary's anxious words, Satan's tempting, the fearful fishermen, the furious squall), Jesus remained calm. He knew His Father, the Word, His mission, and His authority, and He had perfect confidence in them. Oh, I want to have that kind of confidence in my Jesus!
This morning I wrote, Lord, I believe You are able to handle the situations around me. And I went on to write them out. Some of them my issues and some of them other people's issues about which I am praying. I continued, Well, that's quite a list - but I know it doesn't overwhelm You or cause You to fret and worry. Thank You, Lord! I pray You'll move in me to bring me to the place of trust where I will be calm and have a quiet confidence because I know in the depths of my heart You are in control and will work out all the details.

I wonder what storms are brewing in your life today. May Jesus' calm, quiet confidence be yours and bring you peace today. Jesus, draw me close. Please make me more like You.

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11 comments:

Shawna said...

There are times in my life when I felt the calm you are talking about. I can remember because it doesn't happen very often. I'm too involved with my own thoughts, feelings, and anxieties of the world around me to take the time to really focus and grasp those feelings. That's why I know it's so important to take time daily to spend with God in His word. Thanks for the post.

A Captured Reflection said...

Thanks for this post Karen, I loved it. It is so easily to be flapped when all around us are stressful situations or people. I was only thinking the other day of Jesus's great calmness, that assurance. He was not swayed, disturbed or ruffled. Have you ever noticed how people around us with their different qualities can give a bit of a reflection of Jesus? My husband has a stressful job and deals with some flapping, demanding people, yet he is so calm, so peaceful and unchanging and that is a gift from God I believe. You have inspired me again Karen. Isn't it awesome, how you can be thinking about something and someone posts an awesome blog entry which takes you to further thought on that same topic. Lovely.

Deborah said...

Darling Karen, I love visiting your blog with my morning coffee, such a wonderful woman of GOd. I would love to get to know you better come have a look at the tag I did and please take part too. love always me

Char said...

Karen, you write directly to my heart. I'm so glad that God is using you to teach me more about Him.

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

calm and quiet - my house is never quiet, but I do feel calm at times!!!!

have a great one!

Jenny said...

Great reflections! I need to do that more, and just be still, and know He is working and He has confidence in the circumstances that surround me!

Gayle @ thewestiecrew said...

Karen,
I can completely relate to this. I have got so much learn when it comes to just being still and quiet because I simply trust.

Anonymous said...

You must have posted this for me. Thank you.

Jenileigh said...

This was so deep. What a great study and how much time you spent focusing on the details of God's word. I appreciate that. I have missed you! I just don't have a whole lot of online time lately! I needed to hear this. God always knows our needs, doesn't He? Thank-you my sweet friend!

Annie said...

Thanks for a beautiful post Karen!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I am neither a woman nor am i a parent. However, I stumbled upon your blog and am deeply blessed by this entry. May the Lord expand his territory in your life that it will overflow into the lives of those around you.

God Bless you