Asleep in the Boat

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” – Mark 4:35-41

There’s a storm.  The wind is blowing, the waves are crashing.  Water is already starting to fill up the boat.  The boat is rocking and everyone is soaked and terrified.  But Jesus is in the boat!  He’s asleep.  He’s not worried about the wind or the waves.  He’s resting.  The disciples called to Him and He answered.  The wind and waves obeyed at just a word.

I think about this story often.  The world and our lives are full of storms.  They come from many different places and take many forms.  But here’s the thing:  I am in the boat with the Master of the wind and the waves.  The storm is ultimately irrelevant.  I may get scared sometimes because I don’t understand, but when I call out it is just as Psalm 91 says…

They will call to me, and I will answer them.
    I will be with them in trouble;
    I will rescue them and honor them.

I won’t worry about the storm.  I know the Man who is asleep in the bottom of the boat.