As a writer, I face many demands. Each day brings decisions to be made, time needed at the computer, deadlines to meet, creative thoughts to put down on paper, devotionals to be written with fresh insights. Some pieces require revision, there are query letters to write, and I need to find a home for the story written and ready to submit. And that’s just my writing life.
Sometimes I feel like I am standing in the eye of a hurricane. In my mind I visualize the weather map showing the huge blob of storm and in the midst of it, a dark eye. Around me swirl the cares of the world, the problems of family members, the busy-ness of the church, the demands of my writing.
In Matthew 8:23-26 the disciples panicked during a storm. A furious storm rocked their boat while Jesus slept. They were so afraid that they woke Jesus and begged for his help, afraid they would all drown. Only when Jesus rebuked the storm, did it subside.
Recently I felt like the disciples in their little boat. I complained to the Lord how I was being sucked into situations too difficult for me to handle. Someone shared a problem and I felt myself slipping into the controversy. A friend was going through a difficult time and I felt myself pulled into her crisis. In the midst of confusion, I felt the Lord prompting me to stay in the center of the swirling problems, in the eye of the storm where there is perfect stillness. As long as I did, I felt His peace.
But after a few days, I complained again. Yes, I had pulled back from all the troubles surrounding me— but I had slipped into a self-defense mode and felt isolated and alone. While I maintained my own peace, I questioned all the things not being done. Surely I was put on this earth to help others and accomplish the tasks before me.
The loving voice of Jesus answered, “Look beneath your feet.” I looked and was surprised to see that I was standing on one task. Just one thing in the swirling mist of needs. “Work on the task beneath your feet.”
One task is easy. Manageable. Doable. Not overwhelming. A baby step.
When I finished that task I looked up to see what would happen next. In my mind’s weather map I saw the storm meandering to the next task. When the eye was situated squarely over it, I felt the Lord directing me to begin working on that issue. All the while in perfect peace though turmoil swirled around me in threatening currents.
The confusion of the storm saps my creativity and makes me tired before I begin. Attacking one problem at a time makes all the difference. I put one word down on paper, then another. Easy. Especially if done in the eye of the storm, in the center of God’s perfect peace.
Copyright Candace Simar
Candace Simar is a poet and writer from Central Minnesota. If you enjoyed this article, sign up for her free weekly devotional at www.candacesimar.com
