When You're
Caught in a Storm
April 22, 2002
When I find myself in a crisis I usually look for
the fastest way out. I search for the nearest exit. I wish I
could say I always exercise unwavering faith in God. I don't.
Instinctively I try to figure out how I can solve the problem.
Of course the real problem isn't the storm--it's that I focus on
my resources instead of God's. In the storm I often forget God
has a reason for every storm and sometimes getting me out in a
hurry doesn't serve his purpose. That's why it's so easy to
identify with the disciples who found themselves at sea in a
storm. As the waves crashed over the bow of the boat the vessel
filled with water. The disciples sensed that in a short time
they would drown. Panic swept through them like an electric
current, paralyzing their reasoning and short--circuiting their
faith.
And where was Jesus when they needed him most?
Seemingly unaware of the danger, he slept in the stern of the
boat. How could he sleep in a storm that terrified the
disciples? Jesus slept soundly because he knew no storm could
thwart his purpose. Earlier in the day he had told his
disciples, "Let us go over to the other side" (v. 35). He knew
they would reach their intended destination even if they
encountered a storm on the way. But the disciples had forgotten
the Lord's promise. The howling wind had blown away all memory
of his words. Terrified, they awakened Jesus and asked, "Don't
you care if we drown?" (Mark 4:38. They had interpreted his
inactivity as disinterest.
In a demonstration of divine power Jesus stilled
the storm and calmed the waves--a double miracle since waves
don't settle down until after the wind has rested. Instantly
everything became quiet. Not a single wave lapped against the
side of the boat. The wind held its breath. And then a single
voice broke the supernatural silence. Jesus asked: "Why are you
so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (v.40).
I wonder, how would you have responded if you had
been in that boat? I don't have to wonder about myself. I find
myself in enough storms to know how quickly I forget the
promises of God when the blast of the wind knocks me down and
the waves slap my face. All it takes is a financial setback, a
physical injury, a strained relationship, or a delayed dream for
me to plead for a quick fix. And when the storm doesn't go away
quickly I wonder how I can rouse God from his inactivity and
prompt him to still the wind and waves.
Yet, as someone who yearns to be a Mighty Man of
God I want to grow. I want to believe, as Paul told the
Philippians, that he who began a good work in me will finish it
(Phi. 1:6). I want to believe that all things work together for
the good of those who love God and are called according to his
purpose (Rom. 8:28). Yet, I know that my faith is not
strengthened during fair weather, but fowl. Join me this week
and make a conscious decision that if a storm hits, you'll climb
into the stern of the boat, and find rest in Jesus. Instead of
asking him to take you out of the storm, ask him to enable you
to trust him to get you to the other side.
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