Facing a Storm
Sometimes one storm comes after another
Haver you ever had a season in life where you faced one storm after another? Usually storm season in my Oklahoma is in the Spring. But for me, November/December of 2012 was by far the worst storm front I’ve ever faced.
First, Hubby’s youngest sister died. My mom drove up for the funeral and fell inside the church before the service, shattering her leg. Dad was in the nursing home, so I had to go tell him. Mom was still in rehab when he passed December 30th, and all the arrangements fell to me.
I felt battered and abandoned. And I felt like Jesus had fallen asleep and missed all I was forced to deal with in this storm. I felt alone.
Disciples faced a storm
Matthew 8, Mark 4, and Luke 8 all tell of a storm that scared even the seasoned fishermen of the group. Jesus got in the boat with them and told them to sail to the other side. A storm appeared suddenly – not uncommon for the region. The Gospels describe it as:
- Matt. – sudden, with sweeping waves
- Mark – a furious squall that almost swamped the boat
- Luke – a squall that swamped the boat, putting them all in great danger
All accounts agree. This was a bad storm that rattled them all – except Jesus.
Asleep in the storm
Jesus was asleep. All accounts agree on this. The waves are crashing over the sides of the boat and filling their space with frigid sea water. Violent swells batter them about. Thunder crashes above.
And Jesus slept.
I’m positive His ministry was taxing to His human body, and even the Son of God had to rest. But it wasn’t just physical exhaustion that led to His nap in the storm. It was this: Jesus knew this isn’t how His story would end. He knew why God had sent Him. He knew His mission, and His work was not done. So His perfect trust in His Father gave Him the peace to rest.
Cries for help answered
All 3 Gospels report the men waking Jesus for help. They declare that they are about to drown. Mark even reports them asking if Jesus cared about their fate. Of course He cared for His people. It’s the whole reason He left Heaven!
Jesus pushed aside the limits of His humanity and demonstrated His deity. “Oh, you of little faith,” He said. “Why are you afraid?” Then He rebuked the winds and the waves. Instantly, the storm stilled.
Stunning response, or not…
All 3 accounts report that those present were amazed. Who is this that even the wind and waves obey Him? These men had seen other miracles, but they still must have had doubts to be this shocked. How human is that?
All too human, I’m afraid. How often do we do the same thing? God sees us through some rough times. We praise Him and go on. Then later, He does something big, and we’re stunned – as if He’s never done anything for us before. Our memories are so short, and we are so easily distracted by the world and its cares. We lose track of God and His glory.
Notes from Moody
Checking The Moody Bible Commentary, I discovered a few things:
- A contrast to Jonah – Jonah caused the storm; Jesus calmed it. Jonah was a fugitive; Jesus was a messenger and sacrifice. The son of man (Jonah) slept; the Son of God (Jesus) awakens and acts. Both men were sacrificed: Jonah tossed overboard; Jesus willingly hung on the cross.
- The sea – represents the restless and sinful world
- The wind – represents the blast of persecution Jesus experienced, but He ignores and doesn’t fear it because He knows God’s plan will triumph.
- The boat – Believers who sail to the other side of life, beyond the grave, with Christ.
- Peace – occurs only when we cry out for help.
What it means for me:
- Jesus is with me – No matter what I’m going through, Jesus is with me.
- It’s up to me to invite Jesus to engage with me in my storms – Jesus isn’t one to force Himself on me uninvited. If I want His help, I need to invite Him to participate in my life.
- My attention span needs work – I have the memory/attention span of a gnat. If I’m not DAILY engaged with Jesus, I’ll end up forgetting everything I’ve already seen Him do in my life. Live in awe, yes. But not in shock.
Thanks for dropping by today. Do you ever feel like Jesus is asleep? Drop me a line here or on Instagram and let me know.
PS: If you purchased my Good Grief course, please note that I’m working on an update. All lessons are still available, but links to new videos are still under construction.
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