When Settling is Not Settling
Jesus told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” ~ Mark 4:38-40 (The Message)
Mochi is my drooling, jumping, 70-pound Bernedoodle grand-dog. In her adoring eyes, I am a “little old lady toy.” In order to maintain my dignity and my balance, I repeat the word her trainer taught me: “Settle.” Mochi sometimes “settles.” The waves on the Sea of Galilee totally settled. In my life’s tumults, I response is somewhat in-between.
Settling has been an important concept to me. I have always considered my calling to be that of settler, not in the sense of founder of new colonies or towns, but in the sense of joining together with pioneering schools and ministries and then building them up so that they flourish and last. When I think about it, “settle” (the root of “settler”) is a complex word. Here are some of the alternative definitions provided by the Oxford Online Dictionary:
• To resolve or reach an agreement about/end a legal dispute
• To pay a bill or an account; distribute monies
• To adopt a more steady or secure style of life, permanent job or home
• To become or make calmer or quieter by some means
• To come to rest in a comfortable position or to adjust something to rest more securely.
• Particles slowing sinking to become sediment
Clearly, the concept of “settling” has many applications. I am not just a settler: I am someone whom Jesus calls to “settle.” And He does not need to turn His back on me to grab my attention.
I often feel unsettled. You probably do too. Why do we feel this way? In part because our times abound with wind, waves, and panic. Relentless new reports recount tales of war and sickness, gun violence and injustice, anger and accusation. Many of us live our days upset, scared, and confused. When Jesus calls us to “settle,” He speaks to our hearts even more than to our circumstances. On the Sea of Galilee, Jesus asks the disciples’ trust in the midst of their fearful circumstances. “Why were you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” (Mark 4:40).
Today, he waves and the winds are always with us. How can we “settle” when life is never going to “settle down”? Quiet waters and green pastures prove rare, while personal hurricanes are not limited to special seasons. In light of these realities, we need both to grow our faith and to allow Christ to calm our fears. Three ways I strengthen my faith in the face of life’s waves are:
• I cover my heart with Scriptures. Many verses inspire courage. I particularly like: Psalm 84:11, Isaiah 41:10, Luke 12:32, I Peter 1:4-6. To cover my heart in God’s truth I don’t just read Scriptures. I write them. I post them. I memorize them. I share them. And I speak them to my inner coward.
• I recall and rehearse God’s former faithfulness. Through reading Christian biography, through reviewing my prayer journal, through recording insights from conversations and sermons, I remind myself that God is powerful and loving, present and active. Hebrews 13:6 states that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The God who calmed the Galilean waters will calm the floods in Princeton, NJ and your hometown too.
• I list and rehearse the character of my Savior. Faith is as good as the object of one’s faith. Our God is great and good. I sometimes use the alphabet to guide my faith-filled praise about who God is and what He does. So, I recall that He is Almighty, Bread of Life, Commander of the Lord’s Army, Deliverer, Eternal One, the Lord who is Faithful, Gracious, Holy, Immortal, Just, etc.
The Christian life has its upsets. Almost every week, I hear Jesus calling, “Settle, my daughter.” I also recognize the feebleness of my faith. So, I whisper in response, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” The Wave-Silencer settles me. He offers peace.
