“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”

It is nearly 2022 and we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. We’ve gone through several Covid-19 variants and waves. Our healthcare workers are stretched thin. Celebrations, gatherings, and memories all postponed. Lives are on pause, yet on social media people continue to showcase. Maybe it's normalcy you’re craving. Perhaps you’re too consumed with the day-to-day of your life to think about others. Your days lack purpose. You're forced to be distant from a loved one. You’re missing a passed loved one. Or you’re just trying to catch a break. Whatever your darkest and toughest point of the pandemic has been, God is calling you to be patient. Patiently wait for Christ. Hold onto righteousness. Be firm in your faith that Jesus is King.

The storm at sea in Acts 27 describes how the sailors did everything they could to respond to the storm (13-20). In the storms of our life, even when we diligently respond to the pressures in our environment, it is still not enough. At this point, it is natural to be discouraged and “escape the ship” (32). However, in these high-stress situations in life, God speaks to us and provides direction. An angel of God spoke to Paul in the middle of the storm and reminded him of God’s calling for him to stand before Caesar (24). In the midst of the storms in our life, take heart that God sovereignly uses storms to reveal and affirm His ultimate purpose for us.