35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
-Mark 4:35-41 NIV
The disciples were doing what they were told. They were following Jesus’ directions. The last thing they were expecting was a furious squall. After all, aren’t storms reserved for those who aren’t doing the will of God, who are detouring from the path God has instructed them to take?
Apparently not. Life teaches us this lesson early on, doesn’t it? We can do our best, practicing integrity and prayerfully relying on the Spirit of God’s leading in our lives, and still find ourselves facing hostile and dangerous storms. In fact, at times, it seems as though the squalls we encounter are a direct result of following God’s will.
What do you do when the storm hits in your life? When the waves break over you and you feel as though you are going to sink? Who do you turn to?
The disciples turned to Jesus, and the state they found Him in was rather unusual. They had to be thinking, “How is he even still asleep?!” Talk about being a deep sleeper! The disciples are being tossed to and fro, fearful for their lives; meanwhile, Jesus is snoozing on a cushion.
Jesus knew the storm was coming and He chose to sleep. He had a lesson to teach His disciples, and it’s the same lesson He’s teaching us today. The storms that cause us panic are the same storms that with a single command, He can put an end to. We don’t need to be afraid when faced with furious squalls. Instead, like Jesus, we can experience rest and peace.
What storm are you facing? Today, even with the waves breaking over you and outcomes that look grim, can you place your hope in Jesus to deliver you? And can you find peace— not in the absence of your storm, but in the midst of it— because your peace is in Jesus who is with you and will never leave you?