The Fury of our Storms

“That night…he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped…The disciples woke him and said… ‘Teacher, don’t you even care if we drown?’  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet!  Be still!’  They…asked each other, ‘Who is this?  Even the wind and waves obey him!’” Mark 4:35-41.

By the time this event took place the disciples had already sat under the teachings of Jesus.  They had witnessed His supernatural miracles, and watch the world be turned upside down from His words.  They certainly had more head knowledge about Jesus than any other person.  And yet, they didn’t really know Him as well as they thought.  Once the danger that had despaired them had passed, they marveled in a fresh awareness of His capabilities and power.  This event is a beautiful unfolding of each one of us as our furious storms come into our lives.

Just like the disciples, if we are following Jesus we will be led into troublesome times to grow our faith, and show us another facet of God.  When Jesus called them to the other side He was well aware what their future held.  God knows exactly what is up ahead in your life and mine, and the manner in which He will bring it to completion.  We think we know Him but then some set of circumstances occur and we not only learn what is really in our hearts, but we become aware of His incredible power.  Just like the disciples, we sometimes approach Him with accusations and fear.  We have moments of doubt that God is in control, and that He really cares for us since no resolution is on the horizon.  ‘Is He sleeping or worse…does He really care if we drown in our suffering?’

The Jesus who said, ‘Quiet!  Be still!’ is the same Jesus who is with us in the boat experiencing the fury of our storms.  He is the same Teacher who will bring our head knowledge of Him to our hearts, showing us the power of His words.  He is not asleep in the stern and He loves us with every ounce of His being.  Just because the waters are still crashing into our lives doesn’t mean He is not in control of the circumstances. We must continue to call to Him and have confidence that He will deliver us in every storm.  ‘Storms are scary.  It tests our faith and reveals the true condition of our hearts.’ Steadfast Love, Lauren Chandler, p. 150.

“Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39.