FollowingJesus.me

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” – Matthew 8:23-27

I have a growing appreciation for this story, especially as it seems to keep coming up in conversations lately. Today it struck me that though the story is often called “Jesus Calms the Storm” it should be “Jesus Was Asleep.” I think most of the time we, like the disciples, are amazed at Jesus’ ability to calm the storm. “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Also, like the disciples in the story, I think we are quick to ask Jesus to do just that, calm the storm. We have situations, problems, and issues that we face regularly and when they get big enough to make us feel like we are about to drown, we start to cry out for help. Jesus, “don’t you care that we are about to drown!?” (Wording from the story as told in Mark’s gospel).

I am about to say something, but first want to make this one thing clear. Yes, I believe we should ask for God’s intervention. Jesus taught his first disciples and teaches us to ask. What struck me today as Holy Spirit brought this story to mind again is, instead of crying out for Jesus to “calm the storm”, what I want deep in my soul is to learn, like Jesus, to be able to sleep peacefully while the storm rages. I want to have the kind of relationship with God that as life gets chaotic, I don’t scream for help, I crawl up into my Father’s lap, lay my head on his shoulder, and go to sleep. I want to learn to sleep in full confidence that my Father is in control and I don’t have anything to worry about.

I want, like Jesus during his trial when falsely accused, to be able to leave my case “in the hands of him who judges justly” and not feel the need to defend myself.

It is one thing to calmly recognize our need for God and ask him for his help. It is quite another to be tossed back and forth by the waves (the result of doubt according to Hebrews) and desperately be crying out for fear of losing our lives. As one song puts it, “Sometimes he calms the storm and other times he calms his child.”

What is beautiful to me in this story is that both things are happening. Jesus is trusting in His Father and modeling the peace that God wants to give us. Also, Jesus in his love and grace responds to help the disciples in their doubting. They are admonished for their doubt but not rejected. There may be times that Jesus calms our storm. There may be times that Jesus calms your storm. But in the moments that he chooses not to, are you near enough to him to still be able to sleep? Have you put enough confidence in God to allow you to be at peace in the midst of the squall? Such peace is available and God is CERTAINLY able to care for you. The question is simple; in this situation, do you trust Him?

Please take a moment today to get alone with Jesus. Be vulnerable and confess your doubts, worries, and/or fears; we all have some. Then, allow Him the opportunity to speak His love and all-sufficient power into your life. Let Him draw you close so you can lay your head on his shoulder and relax, knowing He is in control. As the song goes, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” He’s got you and me in His hands.”

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:15a)