Good morning. August, I’m not ready for it. It always seems as though August sneaks up on us and yells “BOO!”. Where has the precious summer gone? I know, summer isn’t quite over yet, but it is the 7th of August, and the end feels all too near. As some would say, “It is what it is” and none of us have the power to do anything about it.
Speaking of summer and power (nice segway don’t you think
), on my recent fishing trip to Canada we were caught up in the power of a mighty thunderstorm. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, rain poured down, and it was a little terrifying because we were powerless in its path, and it was thrilling because we were safe spectators of such awesome power on display. We were tucked away in our cabin and able to enjoy the storm from a place of safety. Those few times that I have been caught out in the open on the lake when a storm closed in were not nearly as pleasant. When you feel that your life is in peril, it takes quite a bit of the fun out of it!
We read in Mark 4:35-41 about Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee with His disciples when a great storm came upon them: On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 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?” 39 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. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 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?”
There was a great storm, the disciples were terrified, and Jesus was peacefully sleeping…got it. Isn’t it a great question, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”Of course He cared, He simply wasn’t scared…at all. At the command of Jesus, the winds calmed, and the waves settled down. Jesus asked a couple questions of His own: “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Then the disciples asked the key question, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Who is it indeed? The commands of Jesus continue to still the storms of life. His question, asking why we give in to fear, continues to be valid. The question of who it is that has the power to calm even the greatest storm continues to be the key question. The answer is Jesus.
I imagine we will see another thunderstorm or two before the summer is over. When they come, consider the power displayed, and remember that there is a greater power than thunder and lightning. His name is Jesus, He calls you His friend, He guards you, and He loves you.
Vern