On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side” (Mark 4:35 NKJV).
After preaching all day to a multitude, Jesus informs his disciples that they will cross the Sea of Galilee. So they set sail and head out, and Jesus, tired from preaching all day, promptly falls asleep. But a storm arises—not just any storm, but a vicious storm with massive swells large enough to scare these seasoned fishermen! Water is coming over the bulwarks and rising inside the ship to such a point that they think they will all die. And what does Jesus do? Nothing. He is fast asleep.
I did some research on hurricanes in the Caribbean and how dangerous they are for ships trapped out at sea. Very few ships survived a head-on collision with one of these massive storms. Having been raised in Florida, I also remember huddling in the middle of the living room around a candle with my mom and grandmother and sister, praying that our roof would stay on and that a tree wouldn’t come crashing down on our heads. The hurricane sounded like a giant beast pounding its huge fists all over our house! Could I sleep? No way. And I was in a strong building.
I’ve always found it fascinating that Jesus remained sound asleep through the raging wind and the crashing waves and even the screams of his disciples. How could He do that? How could He be so at ease, so unafraid that He slept like a baby when danger was all around Him? Because He had complete and unwavering faith in His Father. He knew nothing would harm Him until He had completed His mission on earth. Besides, the Father had already told Jesus that He had a divine appointment across the sea.
Note to self: when God says He’s going to do something, He’s going to do it.
Oh, how I wish I could be more like that. I hear God tell me to do some task, or perhaps He promises me a certain answer to prayer, or as I’m reading his Word, one of His promises leaps out at me. Then I go happily about my way until bam, something happens that makes it seem as though the thing God told me would come to pass never will. And what do I do? I panic. I do what the disciples did. I scramble around in a frenzy, worried, anxious, fearful, depressed, trying to solve the problem on my own, until I finally go to Jesus and pathetically ask Him if He has forgotten me.
And just like in the story, Jesus arises, rebukes the waves and wind and asks me: where is my faith?
Where is our faith? Why don’t we believe God? I have an idea! Why don’t we all do something incredibly daring and actually take God at His Word? And then tell the Devil to take a hike when he comes slinking around planting doubts in our hearts.
When the storm strikes, I want to be found sleeping like a baby in my Father’s arms. How about you?
MaryLu Tyndall