Brainstorming with faith
Job 38:1.8–11; Ps. 107; 2 Corinthians 5:14–17; Mark 4:35–41
The gospel presents us with the theme “Jesus calms the storm”. A storm refers to a rushing, raging, violent agitation, wind, or tempest. In politics, a storm could be a violent civil or political commotion, insurrection, clamour, or tumult. In society, there could be hunger, sickness, and poverty. In spiritual parlance, a storm would mean affliction, calamity, distress, or adversity. In the face of storms, whether windstorms, rainstorms, or firestorms, If you can brainstorm with faith, you will not stumble.
How can we brainstorm with faith? To brainstorm with faith requires discernment. Let’s look at what Jesus did. In Mark 4:35, he says, “‘Let us cross over to the other side.” At some point in time, discernment will require you to relocate in order to prevail in a particular situation. At some point, you just have to change your job, habits, and even environment for you to make progress. God said to Abram, ‘Leave your father’s house to a place I will show you’. If you can’t brainstorm with faith, you can’t see the alternative God is revealing to you.
Furthermore, by applying brainstorming to everyday life issues, we can tap into our creative potential, develop problem-solving skills, and move forward with confidence and resilience. Some are so daft that they can’t think things out. Adults, but babies in everything. We must be critical in our thinking; otherwise, we become gullible and fall prey.
Brainstorming is good; it builds your confidence, enhances resilience, and provides you with informed judgement. Brainstorming can lead to recollection and reflection, thereby helping you identify patterns, habits, and areas for personal growth. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by colossal waves of apathy, dread, doubt, despair, and addiction, brainstorming with faith can be a way out. Use your brain and pray. In that way, you will develop resilience and coping strategies, and you will be able to harness creativity and resourcefulness.
Again, Jesus’ journey to the “other side” symbolises the expansion of God’s kingdom beyond Jewish boundaries, foreshadowing the spread of Christianity to all nations. In doing that, they faced a storm. There is no expansion without storms. Hence, storms are life norms. Do not be discouraged. Employ the tactics of the disciples—call on Jesus. Ps. 50:15 says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour Me.” Ps. 107:28–29 (today’s Psalm) says, “They cried to the Lord in their need, and he rescued them from their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper:All the waves of the sea were hushed.” Has God changed?
Another theme we should look at closely today is faith. Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Oftentimes, in the face of storms, we are scared. We are scared of taking the next step and confronting challenges head-on. Overcoming our fears is necessary for personal spiritual growth. Anyone who wants to grow spiritually must be ready to overcome his or her fear. Fear is an attack against faith. So Jesus said to them, Have faith. You too need to have faith, not just as a person but deeply in your spirit. Confess faith, express faith, and vibe faith. Do not be afraid; our God is powerful. He has power over the elements (fire, water, wind—first reading). With the Lord on our side, no firestorm, windstorm, or waterstorm will capsize our boat (Isaiah 43:1-2).
Let us pray
Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive those you set firm on the foundation of your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
