A Christian's Cargo

“But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down, and fallen sound asleep’ Jonah 1:5.  “Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion” Mark 4:38.

Here we have two exhausted men who both had an intimate relationship with God.  They both were getting ready to face a fierce storm and raging sea with fellow travelers on deck above them.  They both were awakened by the fear and despair of those who were traveling with them.  What was the difference?  One was in the will of God and the other was not.  Jonah was running away from his God-directed assignment while Jesus was walking towards His – the cross.   Their sphere of influence on those vessels couldn’t be different.  The men who traveled with Jonah shook him out of his sleep and said, ‘What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?’ Jonah 1:11.  Jonah didn't serve as an ambassador of God.  He was seen as a throwaway...cargo that held no value...no favor.  The men who traveled with Jesus rushed in and awakened Jesus in panic asking ‘Teacher, don’t you care?’ Mark 4:38.  The disciples never questioned the power and ability of Jesus because they knew He had the favor of God.   

In a world full of adversity and suffering, we are surrounded by storm watchers… people who look to us for testimony during tough times.  They are experiencing storms much like our own and are searching for answers and comfort.  They watch our faith and listen to our words to determine the validity of our walk with God.  Will they see our faith as futile tossing it overboard for lack of validity or will they be convinced that we walk with the favor of God before us?

Two men…two storms…two different testimonies.  One called on the power of God and calmed the fierce storm while the other had lost all control of his circumstances.  There will be storms and there will be watchers so how will we respond?  Will our disregard of God create a disregard by others or will our faith serve as magnets to a hurting and frightened world?  God is the ultimate source of power, and when we connect to Him the magnetic field is great and the pull is strong inviting others to experience Him.    

Will our faith be seen as cargo with no value or precious cargo?