The Storm

One day He got into a boat with His disciples, and He said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.”  So they set out, and as they sailed He fell asleep.  And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger.  And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”  And He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.  He said to them, “Where is your faith?”  And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?” Luke 8:22-25

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“He got into a boat with His disciples”.  This is where the story begins.  Jesus got in the boat with His disciples.  We should not miss that.  This is Jesus.  He knew what was going to happen on that lake.  The windstorm may have caught the disciples off guard but not Jesus.  Knowing that the windstorm would ensue He decided to get into the boat with those following Him anyway.  I would dare say intentionally.  There is a lot to learn in the storm.

These were not amateur fishermen or seamen.  They knew how to handle rough seas and their boats, so this tells me this was a horrible windstorm that was over their heads and natural abilities.  Sound familiar. 

But, Jesus.  Jesus was in the boat with them.  They had already seen Jesus perform multiple miracles.  They have seen Him heal! But the storm.  The storm was specifically designed for them. Wasn’t it?  A storm that would rattle expert sailors/fishermen to their core.  A storm that was over their heads so much so they thought they were going to die.  Again, sound familiar.

They couldn’t fix it or save themselves.  They tried to do it themselves for so long that the boat was taking on water. The fact that Jesus was in the boat with them didn’t seem to comfort them either.  A personal miracle was needed.  A personal salvation disguised in their circumstances and a storm specifically designed for them.  Jesus performed a miracle specifically meant to save them.

Many times we can look at our neighbors and not understand why their circumstances have them so rattle and undone.  Aren’t they believers?  Don’t they walk with Jesus?  Why are they so afraid, upset?  Their storm is theirs.  A specific set of circumstances potentially designed for who they are so that God may show Himself personally to them.  Others may look at our circumstances and wonder the same about us.  Even though Jesus is in the “boat” with us, we can sometimes become undone and feel there is no hope.  

Jesus said only one thing to them, “Where is your faith?”  I feel the Lord ask me the very same question sometimes.  When He does, He does so gently and with almost a sound of concern in His voice.  As if first, to remind me of who He is and secondly, to bring back to the forefront my faith in Him.  

“Who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?”  I would like to think that this is a question we know the answer to but in the storm and through our personal salvation, our personal miracle, we come to a deeper understanding and intimacy with “Who then is this”.  This is Jesus.  This is the one who commands the winds and the waves to cease and they obey.  This is the one who is always in the boat with me but it takes a storm for me to see, to truly see Him and who He is.  He is the waymaker.  The comforter.  The Savior.  The King and my Lord.  There is none like Him and there never will be.  He is with us and in the boat.  Like the disciples we just need to cry out and He is there.  Or, better yet, live in faith before the storm, during the storm and praise Him even more after the storm.  Again, Jesus did not condemn them for their fear but only asked the question.

So my Friend, what storm or storms are you experiencing?  They could very well be the result of personal choices gone wrong, consequences for these choices or divinely designed for Jesus to show, remind and grow you into knowing Him personally, intimately and more profoundly.

Prayer:  Father God, may we look at the storms of our lives as lessons and opportunities.  Opportunities to mature, learn from our mistakes and most of all to know you more deeply.  May we not wait until we are taking in too much water to remember that Jesus is already here with us.  May we remember that if we weather the storms anchored to you, we will be blessed when we get to the other side. In the saving name of Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen