Wednesday / Jesus Asleep in my Boat
Read Luke 8: 22-25 (NLT)
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.
The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped, and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”
The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”
Think
When the storm came, Jesus was already asleep in the boat. He was already there when the ride got rough. And it was a serious storm–the boat was being swamped, water rushing in, and in real danger of sinking.
Afraid for their lives, his friends did what we all do when danger comes: panic, then run for help. They woke up Jesus. I like that he didn’t question them, he just took care of the problem. He knew all along what was going on. It was only after the waves and wind had calmed down that Jesus asked, “Oh, little children, why are you worrying?”
What he was saying was that he knew what they needed, he was right there with them, and he had everything under control. But the Disciples were oh so very human and panicked at the wind and waves. They looked in fear at their surroundings. What they didn’t understand was that even when Jesus appeared to be asleep, he still knew what was going on. Jesus knew everything was going to be all right because he was with them. His presence in their boat kept the Disciples safe.
I need to remember this same fact. Jesus is with me, no matter what storms life may bring. His presence keeps me safe. But it’s so hard to believe when I don’t see God or recognize God’s presence in my life. It’s so hard to know God is still here with me.
It’s hard to believe in something I can’t always see or feel. That’s just the truth of being human. But think about this from a different perspective: I know I spend my life surrounded by a colorless substance, something I believe in even though I can’t see it.
Each day, each moment, I breathe in and out and there’s air all around me. Sometimes I can see the signs of where the air has moved—signs like leaves blowing or a flag flapping. But I believe in the air even when I can’t see it or feel the wind moving. When no breeze stirs the curtains, when my kite doesn’t soar, it doesn’t mean there is no air.
So this is what I’m learning to believe, this is what I try to remember: God is with me even when I can’t feel God near. As I take each breath, believing in the air, in the same way I’m learning to believe God is with me.
Pray
God of the wind and waves, you know how hard it is for me to believe when I can’t see, to have faith when the world around me is such a scary place. I thank you that you calm the storms of my life with your presence. Help me to learn and listen for the signs you’re with me. Deepen my understanding and hold me in your arms wherever I go. Amen.
Do
Look for the wind. Go fly a kite. Watch the clouds move across the sky. Notice the leaves dancing in the trees. Look for signs that remind you that there’s air all around you. Breathe deeply. Thank God that God is always with you and around you, even when the kite doesn’t soar.
The View from Mt. Hope 