Between Calamity & CallingSample

CALAMITY THAT JESUS PROCESSED

Jesus had his fair share of wrestles to process in life. For example, we know that Mary conceived Jesus through miraculous conception. This would have meant there was much speculation and gossip about who his real Father was. I often wonder how this would have impacted Jesus.

Straight after Jesus was baptised, the Father affirmed His identity declaring aloud from Heaven, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased." This was a defining moment for Jesus, as all speculation would have ended with that one statement. However, the attack was far from over.

Jesus then retreats to the desert for 40 days where the enemy attacks him directly around his identity. The most prominent space the enemy loves to attack is around identity. He knows if he can get you to doubt your identity and authority, he can undermine your purpose and call. Jesus demonstrates how to use the truth to fight this battle, hence showing us why staying in God's word is crucial to all the calamities we face.

It is in the Garden of Gethsemane where we see Jesus dealing with the most significant calamities of all: the night before his crucifixion. The tension of this space cause Jesus deep distress. However, it is in this space that Jesus models four steps that we can also practically do to help us process calamity whilst staying faithful to our calling.

These four steps are:

1. Retreat
2. Reveal
3. Wrestle
4. Repeat till you Rise

Life is all about learning how to process the calamities and tensions so that we can rise strong through to the other side. The difference between a victim and a victor is not circumstances, but choice.

• Choose to focus on the truth, not the tension
• Choose to focus on the promise, not the prison
• Choose to focus on the Saviour, not the storm

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

• What is your general knee-jerk reaction when facing calamity and tensions?
• What do you tend to focus on when in spaces of distress?

PRAY:

Lord, help me fix my mind on truth as I wrestle through these tensions around me.