‘ One of those days He and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, Let us go across to the other side of the lake. So they put out to sea. But as they were sailing, He fell off to sleep. And a whirlwind revolving from below upwards swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in great danger. And the disciples came and woke Him, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! And He, being thoroughly awakened, censured and blamed and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; and they ceased, and there came a calm. And He said to them, [Why are you so fearful?] Where is your faith (your trust, your confidence in Me–in My veracity, and My integrity)? And they were seized with alarm and profound and reverent dread, and they marveled, saying to one another, Who then is this, that He commands even wind and sea, and they obey Him?’ Luke 8:22-25
In the narrative, the disciples find themselves in the middle of a violent storm. Not only does the storm affect the atmosphere around them but it comes down on the sea shaking the boat they are in. It was Jesus who had told them to get into the boat and cross that lake. Up in a panic, afraid they would die, the disciples quickly wake Jesus up. Surely the disciples must have thought Jesus did not care if they drowned, He could simply replace them.
How had the disciples reached a point of paralysis and yet Jesus was right there with them? Sounds familiar? When God tells us to go to certain places, sometimes that journey is faced with a great storm. In this account, it was Jesus who told the disciples to cross over to the other side. Maybe God has given you an instruction to take up a new position, move to a new city, state, or country. Maybe God has told you to leave your job and you plugged right in with obedience. Then the pandemic hit. These moments might have left you thinking God is “sleeping” on your situation.
After calming the storm, Jesus addresses much deeper turbulence that had arisen on the inside of them, fear! Fear tends to cause more chaos in our lives than any challenge or situation can bring. When God calls us out, He requires us to put our faith in Him completely. Yes, there will be storms that may shake our nations, and also our path, but He promises never to leave us, ever. Notice how Jesus was not woken up by the storm as raging as it is described in the text. God will not call you out to drown you. God is saying to us today, after everything that I have done for you, surely do you think I would let you drown in the purpose I have for you?
