Let Him Know

Almost WWIII

Vasili Arkhipov, was a Soviet Union Navy officer who was assigned to a fleet of submarines in 1960’s. In 1962, his submarine received an order to go to south after they left from Sibarean Sea. The destination was Havanah, Cuba and the order was to get there and survey Cuban and American coasts. Since they were ordered to get to the destination quickly, the submarine sailed on the surface of the water even when they went through the hurricane with fifty foot high waves. The sailors were exhausted and the submarine had some technical problems. After they went through the hurricane, they had another problem, which was warm water. Russian submarines were designed for polar waters but not for tropical warm waters. The inside temperature went up to 120 degrees and the sailors had to endure the hardship for three weeks. They were exhausted and their anxiety level skyrocketed. When the submarine finally got to the Cuban coast, they received an order from Moscow to sail through Florida coast. When the submarine approached the coastline of Florida, there were American Navy vessels and aircraft carrier followed them. When the American ships signaled depth charges, which is warning of intention of attack, the captain of the submarine patience level reached to the limit. He called all the senior officers and tell them that he is about to push the button to release the nuclear torpedoes to destroy the American Navy ships, and that attack will most likely destroy them as well. Furthermore, this will begin another major war between the United States and the Soviet Union. At that moment, Vasili Arkhipov asked the captain if he can talk to him. He urged the captain to reconsider and ask him to consider to make the submarine to go up to the surface of the water and talk to American Navy ships. The captain cooled down and listened to Vasili Arkhipov, and later, the director of the National Security Archive said, “the lesson from this event is the guy named Vasilli Arkhipov saved the world” 

Be Gentle

We don’t have a button to unleash the nuclear missiles, but don’t we unleash out angers and regrettable emotions when we are anxious? Maybe you have a deadline for your assignments for your class soon, or you feel like you are beaten and drained from your family dynamics and you feel like you want to push that button. Maybe you have too many things to do at work, or even in the church and you feel like you are crushed between your personal responsibilities and professional careers and you want to push that button! Our tired moms and dads are at the edge of their being nice mode as you approach even more busy season as you prepare for family gatherings, you feel the pressures from all four directions!

But Paul said here, keep being calm and being gentle because the Lord is near. 

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:5 NKJV)

The word “gentleness” is from a greek word “epieikes” meaning “seasoned, mature, tempered, steadiness and fairness, moderation, appropriate and patient” What can be the opposite of this? Being panic, anxious, unsettled and worried? What can be the solution for this? Yoga? Meditation? 

This is the perfect way to describe our Christian and Adventist faith. We are eagerly waiting for the second coming of Christ. Not just waiting for this seconding coming, but we believe in Savior, who is Emmanuel, and he is with us through the Holy Spirit right now and this moment. The Bible tells us to have faith because God is still actively engaging in our lives. There are many examples in Scripture that God is near, so that we can find peace. 

Genesis 15:1, God to Abram

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” 

Genesis 21:17, God to Hagar

“Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is..”

Joshua 1:9, God to Joshua

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 118:5-6

“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear, what can man do to me?”

How can we be gentle and be in peace? We have to acknowledge God’s promise in the scripture, and constantly having fellowship with God. When we isolate ourselves and when we feel that isolation from God, then, we may lose our calm when the wave of anxiousness overpowers. 

Let Him Know

Paul added more in Philippians 4:6. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” 

It was a moment when the disciples were anxious. The reason was that there were at least five thousand hungry people and Jesus asked His disciples to feed them. In this particular situation, Jesus wanted to test His disciple, Philip. “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” Can you imagine that you are in that situation? Five thousand men and their wives and children are there, and soon to be hungry people? The disciples anxiety level went up quickly when they saw this impossible task, and without any hesitation, they wanted to get rid of the situation. “This is a deserted pace, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” (Matthew 14:13) 

The problem is the disciples saw extraordinary things which the creator of the Universe could do. 

They witnessed these powerful moments, but they had the audacity to come to Jesus with a solution by getting rid of people. They were brave enough to tell Jesus what to do. 

But Jesus asked people to sit down. There was a boy with a lunch box with five barley loaves and two small fish. Jesus blessed the food with thanksgiving and distributed the bread and fish. Everyone must receive as much as they wanted. Jesus asked the disciples to gather up the leftovers and it filled twelve baskets. 

Nobody had to spend any money. No one needed to be hungry. There is no need of worries or anxious minds. When Jesus took control of the situation, there was peace and gentleness. 

How can we be gentle in the turmoils? Find Jesus, and ask Him to control the situation. Let Him know what’s going on and let Him control. 

Paul added more in Philippians 4:6. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” 

I am sure that God will listen to your prayers. He may answer that prayer right now, or maybe God will answer your prayers in the future. But He will answer your request. Or maybe, this would be a moment that God wants to give you a lesson on how to be at peace and gentle in a crazy time like this so that we may grow more.