Listen

Later that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along.

Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?”

He got up and gave orders to the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” The wind settled down and there was a great calm. Jesus asked them, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?”

Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Mark 4:35-41

Think

If there’s anything from today’s passage that feels true right now, it’s that our boat is swamped. The storm is fierce, and waves are crashing in. Panic is building. All evidence points to a capsize coming. And while Jesus is with us, rescue seems unlikely because—he’s NAPPING! Sometimes I wonder if that’s the miracle of Mark 4. Jesus is peacefully sleeping during such a terrifying raucous. That kind of peace often feels unachievable. 

The constant chaos in our world is overwhelming, and we feel a surging desire to do something. Quick! Let’s fix it! But Jesus shows us that we must first “be” before we “do.” Before he speaks to the storm, Jesus is anchored in peace, fully secured in faith greater than the circumstances. We must follow Jesus’ lead, holding to a hope not yet seen. 

We know that chaos is a given. Storms may sneak up, but we are certain they will come. Only when we’re anchored in the hope of Christ can we begin the work of doing justice, living for peace, and showing up with the courage needed to face the next storm. 

Alisha Damron Seruyange

Question to Ponder:

Think of a time when you felt anchored in God’s peace, secured in faith. How did it inform your actions?

Pray

God, bring your peace to our hearts that we might be more ready to live it out in the world. Guide our “being” and our “doing” one day at a time. Amen.

Go

God is our salvation and hope. Our work is to bring God’s kingdom of peace by the power of love in our thoughts, words, and actions.