“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41
I have never been on a boat in a storm, but I have seen a violent thunder storm on the east coast…while safely in a house. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be in the midst of a storm on a BOAT!?!? Waves tossing the vessel to and fro, wind, rain…one of the storms I saw while vacationing on the Atlantic Ocean was absolutely frightening, even though I was in the house. What must it have been like for the disciples that day on the water with Jesus? I am sure they were afraid. I know I would have been.
While I haven’t been in a boat during a storm, I have certainly experienced the “storms of life.” Most of us have…we lay awake at night worrying about our children, an illness, financial troubles, our job…we worry about many things. Why? Why do we worry? Jesus is there, he is HERE, right now, with us…to calm the storms of life. He is there to say, “Quiet! Be still!” He is in the boat! He did not abandon ship! He did not leave us to handle the storm on our own.
I need to remember that!! He is STILL in the boat! Just as he was in the boat with the disiciples, he is still in my boat. All I need to do is call on him! He will calm the seas of life enough for me to see the shore and find the way home.
Lord, help me to trust you with ALL of my heart. Help me to remember that you are still in the boat with me. I do not have to handle life’s troubles on my own. You will guide me and protect me. I know you will never leave me. Guide Andy as he navigates his way; please help him to stay motivated, stay strong and stay close to you. Lord, thank you for storms I have experienced in my life…I know you are using them to shape me into a vessel you can use. Please help me to remember that. Thank you for your son that gave his life for mine…so that I might have eternal life.
How about you? Have you forgotten that Jesus is still in YOUR boat? How is he working in your life?
Peace and blessings…..

Mary,
I love this passage in the Gospel. Often, when I feel buffeted by the winds of life this is the one I meditate on. It lifts my faith. This was a beautiful post, thanks for sharing it. I am always amazed at how the Holy Spirit works in Christian writers, every site is different and each person is unique, yet God's love shines through each one 🙂
Thanks, Mary…it is an uplifting passage for me too. You are right about every site being different, yet they all seem to have a common theme! Blessings to you…
Thanks for this reminder, Mary.
God is so good!