Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. The prompt this week is … Respect.
There are so many voices, with equally as many thoughts and opinions. Respect seems to be given only to those whose thoughts and opinions align with with one’s own. I try to listen, respectfully, and try to refrain from saying too much.
Everyone needn’t agree (as this would be near impossible anyway), but everyone should be respectful in disagreement.
Respect by definition is yielding to the right or the position of another.
Thinking on the definition of the word brought to mind that there is only One who is respected by all things.
After getting in the boat with His disciples, Jesus falls asleep. A storm comes upon the seas causing the disciples great distress and fear. Waking Jesus up, He wonders why they have so little faith and to their amazement He stills the storm.
“The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27, NLT)
With a word, Jesus can cause eyes to see, legs to walk, fevers to leave, raises Lazarus to life once again, withers a tree, casts out demons. With a word, He brings healing, life, justice, forgiveness, redemption, restoration, peace, joy, and love.
“Who is this man?”, they asked.
This man is Jesus, and with a word,
He can calm any storm in our lives as well.
Today I am joining …
** In the comments below, Sue (< link to her beautiful site) mentions a video – Storm Be Still. It is just beautiful and so I am sharing it here:
so grateful Jesus is the storm calmer, we could certainly use that these days, huh?!
I truly think the entire world is in need of the Storm Calmer.
Peace Be Still.
Indeed.
Yielding to a position and authority…. thank you Jesus that you are good and gracious with that position and power. Thank you for this reminder.
Yes (!), Peggy, you are so right. And this is why we can trust Him and submit to His authority in our lives. Grateful you shared!
Whenever I read this passage I think that sometimes I am in the storm and sometimes I am the storm. I pray Jesus quiets me when I need it.
Amie, I think that is true of all of us at times. I join you in praying for Jesus to quiet us when we need it. Blessings!
Jesus lay, fast asleep,
in that storm-tossed boat,
while his boys cried like bilious sheep,
afraid it wouldn’t float.
He must have opened first one eye
from a dream so sweet,
and then with long and heavy sigh,
He got unto His feet,
and His look must have been bleak;
He viewed no faith-won skill;
“OK, I’ll give you what you seek;
now, lake, peace, be still!”
After this, a ringing call,
He muttered, “Must I do it ALL?”
Andrew, you have said it well! So grateful you go to such lengths with your comments. You are a blessing!
Love this reflection – Jesus was about His Father’s business and knew where He was going – over to the other side of the lake and nothing would disrupt that. We need to fix our eyes on the Lord and keep focused and not allow the storms of life to throw us into panic and fear…if only we would yield to Him – Thank you Joanne!
Sharon, in these times we are living, I so want to remember – His specialty is storms. He can calm every one.
So good!
Yielding is such an uncommon subject these days. Great post. Oh, did you see the covid painting of Storm Be Still (look on Youtube) Enjoy!
I don’t believe I saw the painting you mentioned but am going to look it up now. Thank you for stopping to visit 🙂
I had to come back. Just finished watching it – thank you!!! It was beautiful and powerful. Going to add the link above to my post.
A great reminder of Who is in control of all things!