“Master the tempest is raging..” just some random thoughts

“Master the tempest is raging..”

            Today in church we sang this song, it stirred me so much I had to write about it. A couple of weeks ago in my New Testament class we learnt about how Christ slept as the apostles and Himself travelled across the sea of Galilee. The Apostles were so scared because they were travelling through the crazy winds that occur daily on that sea. Fearing the boat might capsize they awoke the Master and asked if He cares not that they perish? He simply notes that their faith is yet weak and calms the waves completely (this miracle compounded because this tempest is so perfectly timed on the sea of galilee to this day. It begins around 3pm and continues until the wind interaction ceases, presumably the next morning. I haven’t lived there so I don’t know exactly).
            The song says “the wind and the waves shall obey thy will, peace be still. Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea, or demons or men or whatever it be, no waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and sky.”
Why does He so majestically control all? Beside the fact that He created this earth (we each had a hand in it, and therefore have a little control over our small sphere as is our birthright), and that he was born immortal and mortal. I feel somehow that such control first comes from within. Christ loves perfectly, and perfectly knows what he believes and stands for. Therefore, He knows exactly how to behave in every circumstance that presents itself and allows the best outcome because of these factors. He does not allow Himself to lose control, therefore He has all control and nothing and no one can ‘touch’ (for want of better word) Him without His consent.

What does that look like to me? How can I expect to control anything close to the elements if I cannot control myself? Cannot control my inner tempests or passions?

            I can only approach Christ whilst I live within His belief system? Yes, because His belief system is based on laws that were not created by Him, nor did His Father create these laws. These are laws that are eternal, having no beginning and no end. They are what all eternities and worlds and Gods are ruled by, and in order for us to have all freedoms in eternities to come, then we also must abide by these laws. We may say, “Christ’s religion is confining/dictatorial, or that He is the greatest example” in part of this we would be right, but not completely. Christ is not confining or dictatorial, He is a Teacher and teaches us how the laws work. It is not His 'confining' but the laws themselves, which cannot change and, through further study and understanding, actually bring greater freedoms (the reverse is also true. not follow such laws=confinement). He is the greatest example but His example was not just a thing to be appreciated and admired. His true purpose was one of Saviour and Teacher. He needed to teach, but the lessons were worth nothing if He also did not save. These two must have come together or all our souls would have been for Satan to command, as would have been the natural consequence of our fallen state (which was also necessary for progression).

            Today we watched a talk by Elder Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve. He emphasized that we must have ‘clean hands and pure hearts’ in order to enter into the presence of God. This is often spoken of in the scriptures. Clean hands refers to repentance, daily and often (It is not necessary to view this as sack cloth and ashes, it is true sorrow for things we know were wrong and a desire to do better. No need to dwell on these). A pure heart is described as no more desire to do evil but to do good continually.
            If we decide to keep religion simple then here we have the formula. It is surely not very difficult! To call on Christ’s example as teacher again, His ministry on earth was simple! What He taught was simple. Clean hands and Pure heart. I believe we complicate things far too much. We think of the intricacies of Christ’s gospel and almost adopt a Sadducee or Pharisee mentality, where we strain on a gnat and swallow a horse! (Completely misquoted I know, but the point is there).

            I recently learnt, again, that to communicate with Christ is not such a rare thing, nor so impossible as we sometimes think. By communicate I mean face to face as Moses spoke of and many other prophets and apostles and Layman since. I think it’s intriguing how often we bypass the words “ask and ye shall receive. Knock and it shall be open” they seem hidden in plain sight. This scripture tells us to do two things. Each requires action. If we wish to know God all we must do is ask. He will give direction (if our desire is true), this direction will most likely come in the form of doing something which requires us to become worthy to know Him better, then we ask again, another task is given, and again until we see the face of God. However, I promise, that as the process moves along experiences such as Moses had (and every other person who has been so privileged) will occur. So be aware when you ask what it is you are asking for, and the strength you will need to receive it.
            I bring this up only because Christ is the greatest Teacher, and whilst we do have His appointed Prophet and Apostles on earth today and we may perhaps “borrow from their light” if we so wish, they themselves emphasize the need to ask God if what is being taught is true! The fact is that a relationship with Christ directly is the only true way we can know if we are right before Him. He is the one who directs, and His direction is not so opaque or obscure as one might think. It simply takes a desire and dedicated time slot in our head. 

-       SELF-Control

-       Teacher, Saviour, Law abider

-       Clean hands, Pure heart

-       Know God. Ask and Knock

-       Listen and Do