The Storm

Luke 8:22-25 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" He asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

I love the simplicity and richness of this passage, I can just picture them all in the boat, maybe even a little relieved to get away from the crowd (Mark’s Gospel mentions that they were near a crowd) and looking forward to just relaxing while they sailed across the lake. I can see Jesus sitting back closing His eyes, breathing deeply taking in the evening air and being completely in the moment. Maybe the disciples are chattering amongst themselves about all of the miracles that they have witnessed up to this point or maybe they too were in need of rest or maybe a little of both. All are relaxed and not expecting to be hit by the squall and instantly as it smashes into them the fear that must have risen up in them! Neither Mark nor Luke’s Gospel mentions that they were asking one another what they should do, it is worded as if they went to Him the moment they realized they were in trouble. The Scripture seems to indicate that they were in desperation when they woke Him up. He woke up, He calmed the storm and saved their lives.

How often in our own lives are we sailing through feeling as if nothing can bother us; happy, joyous and free and BOOM it hits us smack right in the forehead. Are we going to Him first? Or are we relying on worldly ways to calm the storm? It can be something as simple as not having control over a situation, or something as difficult as the news of terminal illness. Are we taking that concern to Him just as His disciples did or do we try to fix it ourselves?

Praying that whatever storm you are facing you allow Him to calm it for you,

His Servant