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Jan 27, 2026 06:00am

Walking Through Luke: Chained Waves

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I live in Arkansas, where we know all about storms. They’re chaotic, destructive, and scary. It’s frightening that nature itself can, at the drop of a hat, become so powerful that it can knock down trees, shatter windows, hurl cars through the air, and so much more. A force like that can’t be stopped; it can only be prepared for.

In March 2025, I took my youth group to Winter Jam, an annual concert hosted by the Christian band Newsong and featuring several other artists. As the concert went on, my students grew tired and were ready to leave. When we exited the venue, I could feel it in the air—a storm was coming. We drove back to the church as lightning flashed across the sky and a weather alert blared over the radio.

The students’ parents picked them up at the church, but my phone battery was nearly dead. I didn’t want to drive the half hour home in a storm with no phone, so I hurried into the youth room, grabbed a charger, and rushed to my office. I called my wife to let her know I was okay and to make sure she was safe. As I checked the weather radar, it became clear that the worst of the storm was sitting directly between the church and my house.

I decided to wait it out. And so, at 10:30 p.m. on a Friday night, I sat on the floor of my office while my phone charged, waiting for the storm to clear enough for me to feel safe driving home.

I hesitated a few times, but shortly before 11:00, I felt a strong sense in my gut—it was time to go. I hurried to my car and drove off. About halfway home, I briefly encountered rain, but aside from that, the road was clear, and I made it home safe and sound.

On the Sea of Galilee, near where Jesus and His disciples centered much of their ministry, sudden and violent storms were common. The region sat below sea level and was surrounded by hills, allowing strong winds to rush down and stir up dangerous tempests. On a lake, these storms could carry hurricane-like force. Even for seasoned fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John, such conditions would have been terrifying.

That’s where we find the disciples in Luke 8:22–25. Jesus had finished teaching and got into a boat with His disciples to cross the lake and escape the crowds. As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep. Mark’s Gospel tells us He slept on a cushion. Whether He was under a covered area or out in the open air, Jesus was completely exhausted.

I can relate. On Sundays—especially when I teach both Sunday school and children’s church—I’m completely worn out, and those classes only last thirty to forty-five minutes. Jesus taught massive crowds all day and healed them as well. It’s no surprise He fell asleep so quickly.

But while Jesus slept, a violent storm erupted. Wind whipped across the lake, waves crashed over the boat, and water poured in. The disciples rowed desperately as fear grew. Eventually, they woke Jesus, crying out that they were about to die. Mark records their question: “Don’t You care that we are dying?”

Jesus stood up and commanded the storm to stop. “Peace! Be still!” Immediately, the storm ceased. The disciples were stunned. Jesus then asked them, “Where is your faith?” Why were they afraid when He had been with them the entire time? Even while asleep, everything had been under control.

The primary purpose of this story is to reveal the power and authority of Jesus. He controls the wind and the waves. He rules over nature itself. While we cannot stop storms or always predict when they will come, Jesus has all power in heaven and on earth and can calm a storm with a single word. This moment shows both His humanity—so tired He slept through chaos—and His divinity—the Son of God commanding creation.

This story also reminds us that when Jesus doesn’t act on our timetable, it doesn’t mean He has abandoned us. The disciples likely wanted the storm stopped immediately or prevented altogether. But that wasn’t Jesus’ plan.

My wife and I experienced this firsthand when we went a month and a half without a car after ours broke down. We wanted God to provide right away, but instead, He allowed us to wait. During that time, though, we never lacked transportation. Family and friends stepped in, giving rides and lending vehicles until the right car came along.

The same thing happened again last year after a car accident totaled our only vehicle. Once more, it took time, but God faithfully provided.

We all face seasons like this—moments when something feels wrong and we desperately want God to intervene. Like the disciples, we may wonder if He even cares. Or we can trust that God is working in ways and timing far better than our own.

If we never faced storms, our faith would never grow. Just as muscles grow stronger under resistance, faith is strengthened through trials. God often allows storms not to harm us, but to shape us, refine us, and deepen our trust in Him.

There may be times when you feel like God doesn’t care. Know that He does. He is watching, working, and preparing. His timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t look that way to us. So buckle up, pray, and wait for God to move. One way or another, He will carry you through the storm.