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?”

Mark 4:35-38

Think

Growing up in Florida, we were on the water a lot. For me, the water is a calming place. But there is a reason why so many are afraid of open water. Things can change so quickly.

I recall one Saturday when my mom was brave enough to agree to take me, my two brothers, and two of our friends (that’s a high kid-to-mom ratio!) out on the boat by herself. When we left, the skies were blue, birds were soaring carefree. Almost as quickly as we could eat up all our boat snacks, the skies went from blue to black, the winds began gusting, and the boat was thrown about violently into the growing waves. It’s my earliest memory of my mom being truly afraid, which was my cue to know just how serious and scary these waves were.

Much like the unexpected storm, life can change so quickly. When the waves crash in, and the winds race all around, where can we find God? Where is God when we are stuck in the storm?

Sara Hunt-Felke

Question to Ponder:

How do you think the disciples felt when they found Jesus asleep on the boat?

Pray

God of the wind and waves, when I am overwhelmed and feel tossed about, help me remember to cry out to you. Help me remember to breathe, reach for your hand, and float.

Amen.

Go

When peace like a river attendeth my way;

when sorrows like sea billows roll;

whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Horatio G. Spafford, “It is Well with My Soul”