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Feb 17, 2023 18:30pm

There’s Rest in the Storm

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There’s never been a truer test to teamwork than being paired with someone in a canoe.

Am I wrong?

If you’ve ever been there, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Obviously, the one with more experience will steer the canoe in the back and the less experienced one will be in the front to paddle.

You agree to get in the boat. You buckle up your life jacket, strap down the supplies and gear, and step into the boat.

Things are going smoothly. And then, you see it. Up ahead is some pretty rough water. You see falls with dips and drops and rocks. There’s even a curve close to it.

Moment of truth: just how much do you trust the other person in your canoe?

I thought so. Panic fills your mind. Fear takes over. You begin doubting their abilities. You even cry out to them about what to do! You’ve lost all sensibility and forget anything you’ve ever known about canoeing. All faith in your partner is gone.

Does disaster lie ahead or will you be able to safely navigate the waters?

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:35-38)

After attending to the needs of the multitude, Jesus tells His disciples that they should board the boat and head to the other side. As we learn in the following chapters, He has work to do there. He’s on a mission, and His disciples follow.

While they are out on the boat, a big storm starts building around them. The waves are big and water begins to fill the boat. Now remember, some of the disciples on this boat are experienced fishermen. They’ve seen a storm or two. But they are no exception.

They start to panic.

I can just imagine them rushing around the boat, trying to figure out what to do and then one of them spots Jesus asleep. Here’s an interesting part – where did they find Him?

He was at the binder part of the ship. This is also called the stern. Now, what is that used for? It’s the place where the steering of the ship happens. This is where the control of the ship occurs.

They begin calling out to Him in panic, yelling for Him to awake and do something!

If I were on that boat, I’d be thinking, “How could He sleep at a time like this? Can’t He see the storm? Doesn’t He realize what’s happening to us? Does He even care? Why would He bring us out here in midst of this? We will never make it. The water’s pouring in. We’re going to capsize! I just know it! And there He is, SLEEPING!?”

Admit it. You would, too.

And then, Jesus wakes up.

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:39-41)

They were followers of Jesus. They had given up everything to go with Him. But now, one storm arises and they forget everything they know about who He is.

Where was their faith? Did they not trust Him? Did they not remember all that He had done thus far? Was He not on a mission to get to the other side? There was work to be done and it would be accomplished.

As they watched, it says they feared exceedingly. This is reverent fear, recognizing power and authority. They were in awe of Him. Their words are deep and mighty – “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him!”

What storm are you experiencing? Are worries and fears flooding your mind? Have you forgotten everything you know about Jesus? Do you doubt His goodness and plan for you? Will He not see you through? Has your faith faltered? Even the wind and sea obey Him!

As we scramble through this life, with our feeble attempts to scoop the water out of the ship being tossed to and fro, our Heavenly Father is still in control. He is steering our ship. Even through storms that arise, He is our peace, our calm, our strength.

We can rest in Him.

Even through the storm.