In the Storm

Are you feeling like you are in the midst of a storm that keeps knocking you down?  Everywhere you turn are there high winds and capsizing waves?  You are not alone, friend. Many of us are in the throws of back to school pandemic style and the overwhelming circumstances can seem daunting at best. But don’t get stuck there!

Do you remember the story of Jesus walking on water?  It’s one I have read and studied many times, and yet God used this passage to teach me new things this week. Mark 6:45-56 sets the stage for Jesus rescuing his disciples from a storm that was overtaking them. They were alone in the middle of the lake, and Jesus walked on water to come to their rescue. As a matter of fact, as soon as Jesus came aboard their boat, the wind died down. The storm was gone.

A few key pieces stuck out to me this time:

• The disciples were alone in the boat because Jesus had gone off by Himself to pray. He needed time to renew His mind, reconnect in solitude, rest in His Father. If Jesus Himself needed time to Himself with God, rest assured we do, too!  It’s so important for us to spend time with God.
• Jesus saw the disciples in the middle of the lake struggling in their boat against the wind. It was in the middle of the night. They were surrounded by darkness.  Yet soon, the Light would rescue them.
• Jesus did not go out to His disciples until shortly before dawn. This tells me He allowed them to struggle for a bit. Why does God allow us to struggle?

I want to pause and dig deeper here because this is a question that often comes to mind. Why, God?  How much longer?

Romans 5: 3-5 tells us that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Our suffering reveals to us our need for TOTAL dependence on God, how much we desperately need Him in our boat. God uses our struggles to draw us closer to who we are designed to be. The struggles transform us…if we let them.

Philippians 4:13 tells us we can do ALL things THROUGH Christ (not alone) who strengthens us. Which brings me to my final observation.

• Jesus was about to pass the disciples by. THEY had to be the ones to SEE Him AND cry out to Him. He walked on water to get to them, but they had a part in their rescue. They had to open their eyes and recognize that their hope rested in Jesus.  He is there walking right beside us, too, no matter where life’s circumstances have taken us. He is with us through the storm no matter how long it takes, and sometimes halting it completely. We are called to put our trust in Him.

Application:  Where is your boat today?  Whether it’s on a calm lake or in the midst of turbulent waters, ask Jesus to join you in your boat. Allow Him to steer your vessel. Let go of the control. He will guide you on a path of fulfilling your purpose here on earth. Now that’s a blessing!!!