The CHASM is far too WIDE.

Week 1: I love storms, I always have. Maybe it's my enneagram four type that chases drama and the grey scale depressive colors, but I'd like to more-so associate my love of storms to be equated to a fascination with the power and might of God. This first week of my social work internship wasn't as incredibly hard like I anticipated but even still it was a week of doubt, fear, and helplessness.

I wanted to have faith and complete trust that the Lord was in and over these situations of brokenness. I wanted to be able to look into the face of a child and know that they would be okay. I wanted to see these parents and have full trust that they were telling the truth and that things would get better. I desperately longed for hope in the hopelessness of brokenness. But the enemy had taken root in my thoughts and I sinfully had doubts, I questioned the power of God to be in and over this storm.

Never did I doubt the character of God to wish to tame and conquer the storm of brokenness, but I did question his ability to. I sat and thought "God, this is too much. What can we do? We can't do anything, can we? We're defeated."

I spent this week not expecting much and not hoping for more. I felt like the world was just way too far gone and this was a hopeless effort; A nonsense filled task... I gave up before the war had even started and I had tried to do what little I could on my own. I accepted how it is and went with it.

Thankfully, God brought my doubting thoughts to my attention and cancelled them out. My God is bigger than this, whether I know it fully or believe it all the time- HE HAS THIS. If it was up to me to be the game changer in the lives of these individuals and if it was up to me to save them from themselves, then my emotions were right. It was right of me to feel a little defeated if I didn't have an abounding love and trust in my creator. He knew these people far before I did, He created them with a purpose, and He is in this situation because He cares for and loves these people and chases them down in their situations. He did it for me, and I am the biggest sinner of all. Never once did he leave us to ourselves, His plan is unfolding and HE IS BEING MADE KNOWN.

My role isn't to change hearts- I can't- but to lived changed and to share that change through my life and how I walk, act, and speak so that more may come to know their King.

As I was reflecting on my week, I began reading through a devotional from She Reads Truth about the attributes of God. This week happened to be 'Omnipotent' which, if you didn't know, means having unlimited power and the ability to do anything. Knowing God is Omnipotent, how silly is it of me to put it past Him to be able to calm these storms and work through the valleys that seem too big and mighty for me.

Omnipotent: having unlimited power; able to do anything

One of the reading portions of the study was covering the story of when Jesus calmed the wind and waves. This story is in Mark 4:35-41. I think I always have this someway, somehow, tied into a bible study or a sermon each and every time I catch myself doubting the Omnipotent nature of the God I praise. In this passage the disciples struggle with doubt, they are in the midst or a great storm and Jesus, whom they follow fully and trust deeply, is sleeping.

These were some of the most devout followers and believers in the mission and power of Jesus and even they screamed out, "Teacher! Don't you care that were going to die?" (vs.38). These men had been on a long journey with Jesus and had picked up everything to follow and learn from him, but in the midst of chaos, they doubted his ability and His concern with what situation they found themselves in.

Jesus instantly woke up as said "Peace, be still." and there was calm. He then said, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Vs. 40).

"Peace, be still." Vs. 40

Why then did they still lack faith that the one who created the winds and waves had complete control over them?

Why then do we struggle to have faith that God has complete power and authority over the world he created?

Are we fully trusting that God has his hand over the people who created or are we doubting the power of God at work?

Am I fully giving him my trust- Knowing that he knows these people and that He is for these people?

Instantly I was convicted. When I thought the Chasm was far too wide, he made a way. He made a way in my life the same way he has built a way for the brokenness of this world. There is hope in Jesus but there is also P O W E R.

After Jesus calms the storm, His disciples know his might that much deeper. It wasn't by chance that there was calm but only by the might of the King. That all took place as a testament to how real and how mighty Jesus is. Now today, when we read this passage we can know and trust that God is bigger than this situation you have found yourself in. Jesus's might covers all your guilty stains, He is over everything you'll face in this world. The war is won and tomorrow is different and has meaning beyond 24 hours because of this. This reality, this power, it changes E V E R Y T H I N G.

Our God is not absent in our storms but ever-present. N O T H I N G is outside of or beyond His control and that is a GOOD THING. Here is a quote from She Reads Truth that explains just how real and good God's power is in our lives is.

"And that power, that impenetrable grip on the cosmos, sustains us through every wind and wave that comes our way, whether or not we remain on our feet. In time, we begin to understand His omnipotence in light of His other attributes. God can do anything, but He does not act against His own character or nature: His goodness and justice, His mercy and love."- SHE READS TRUTH

So as I continue on this journey in Social Work, I aim to never lose sight of my hope and my faith that God is all powerful and that he is working through all things. But this lesson isn't limited to Social Work.

Maybe you are in the middle of a big storm.

Maybe your life course has been set on a new track.

Maybe you are stuck in a sin pattern and feel alone.

Maybe your fire has dimmed down and you don't know what to do to ignite it again.

Maybe someone you care deeply is rejecting Christ.

Maybe you are rejecting Christ or having a hard time following him.

Whatever the storm is, know God didn't leave you there alone.

God is in your storm and more so, God is over your storm. Begin with prayer, begin with the word of God and with spiritual community. Look for what God is teaching you and showing you in each and every storm you encounter and look for his power at work. We serve an all-powerful Omnipotent God and that is a good thing. He has got you and he has a plan through this all & it is for your good and His glory.

"See, Im doing a new thing. It springs up! Do you not perceive it? I'm making a way through the wilderness and streams through the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19