February 25 - The Still Big Voice

 Read today’s texts first: Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

A proud leader can create waves
instead of calming them. 

I have often talked to my students or parishioners about the importance of tuning into the still small voice of God.  That’s how He chooses to speak to us most of the time – in the quietness of our spirit.  But we sometimes forget how powerful that voice is.  The psalmist reminds us with metaphors of thunder and lightning, breaking cedars and shaking deserts.  Right after we read about His thundering voice being “over the mighty waters” (2-3) we see that vividly illustrated in Mark 4.

After ministering all day, Jesus had earned a little shut-eye on the boat-ride back across Galilee.  He was rudely awakened, however, not by the crashing waves, but by the panicked disciples.  With an almost irritated reflex action, as quick and casual as you and I hitting the snooze button on our alarm clock, He calms the wind, the waves, and His disciples with three simple words: “peace be still.”  While He’s fluffing His pillow to return to dreamland, His disciples look at each other: “Who is this?  Even the winds and waves obey Him” (41).

Who is this indeed?  No wonder Aaron was to consider the priesthood a gift (Numbers 18:7).  To represent this amazing Jesus, our High Priest, is a privilege.  Speaking His words and bringing peace in the middle of rebellion, plagues, and any other storm we might face is a high calling.  Aaron’s budding rod is an illustration of authority that brings life.

So often those who have been given authority abuse it.  Power and pride can corrupt and the leader can create waves instead of calming them.  “Lord, my role as a priest, your representative, is a gift.  The big voice behind mine has limitless authority, but only when the words I speak bring peace, not strife - reconciliation, not retaliation.”