As I worked through the story and got to the part when Jesus stood up and said, “Be still.” He didn’t shout. He didn’t over emotionalize the event. He exercised His authority. And of course, nature obeyed. What a moment of awe for the disciples. One minute they feared for their very lives, and the next moment is just still. It probably was almost eerie. I feel like they must have said in their heart really, that’s all He had to. Shock must have been a factor. I mean this is beyond our understanding. As I reflected on this act of power and authority, I was struck by the power of God’s word. He spoke and nature responds. We see this in Creation. He spoke the world into being. Then the connection between this and John 1. In the beginning was the Word. The Word is Jesus. So as I was mediating on these events, I was challenged to my core at the authority and power in God’s Word. I felt conviction of my lack of knowledge of God’s Word. His power cannot still the storms in my life if I don’t let His Word in. His Word is power!!!
Another time, I came back to this story and God spoke to me again. I was thinking about Jesus’ response to his closest friends. He said, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” I pondered this question. How were the disicples to know He could calm the storm that threatened their lives? As we experience who God is, we learn more about Him right. Then it occurred to me that they didn’t trust His presence. He was asleep. If He was sleeping, they could just sit with Him and trust Him. I wondered if the disciples all curled up next to Jesus on the boat if the storm would have stilled without Jesus even waking up. His presence is enough. As a believer in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives inside me. The very power that calmed the storm lives inside me. His presence is enough. Do I trust Him? Do I trust that His presence is in me and that power is at word regardless of what I feel or see? It was in this mediation did I clearly see the difference between trusting in what my five senses tell me, what logic tells me, what education and even experience tell me. None of that information can be considered first. It must be filtered through the reality that the authority of the university resides in me.
When the disciples woke Jesus up, they asked Him, “Don’t you care?” Isn’t it amazing that our most natural response when circumstances do not go our way is to question God’s love for us?!? As if He could change! His love for us as His children is unwavering. His love for us as His friends is constant and unfailing. His love has been the same since before the beginning of time and will last for all eternity. We have a God, who is the One and Only True God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all that seen and unseen. And He is deeply in love with you and me! Amen!!!!
Just Walking 