“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s get in a boat and go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set sail, and soon Jesus fell asleep. But a fierce wind arose and became a violent squall that threatened to swamp their boat. Alarmed, the disciples woke Jesus up and said, “Master, Master, we’re sinking! Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” With great authority Jesus rebuked the howling wind and surging waves, and instantly they became calm. Then Jesus said to them, “Why are you fearful? Have you lost your faith in me?” Shocked, they said with amazement to one another, “Who is this man who has authority over winds and waves that they obey him?””
Luke 8:22-25 TPT
I studied this scripture the other day and wanted to record and share my thoughts. I’m pretty much thinking out loud. The passage inspired me to recall my own experiences of catching sight of threatening storms that have suddenly popped up in my life. The ones that threaten to sink what I know Jesus has called me to.
Have you ever met someone so full of God’s peace that you can almost touch and feel it or “experience” it with your senses? I think this passage is a picture of how that is attainable with practice, believing, and trust. My goal is to immediately see trouble as an invitation to view it as an opportunity to practice my faith.
Jesus is going somewhere and invites you to go with Him. I don’t know about you, but whether the assignment is seemingly hard or exciting, when I know who is Captain and leading me, I instinctively know I can be brave and step into it for His will to be done. I KNOW He is in my boat even though with my natural eyes I cannot see Him. He’s IN IT! He is IN the situation WITH me. He is just quiet! It’s up to me to make my thoughts go to Him. Yet sometimes I doubt.
Soon enough something pops up that catches my vision. A threat to my smooth sailing assignment. Someday, I will arrive at not even flenching and being that person who is oozing with peace, but until I get there, I desperately look to Jesus to save me, who is unmoved by this threatening distraction.
As I look to Him in a semi panic “wondering” how on earth PEACE and CALM can reckon with this dire situation, I call out to Him with my worry and fear. He wakes and rebukes the storm. He tells it a stern NO, and He looks at me and I at Him and with the kindest and most gentle voice He ask, “Erin, where is your faith right now?”
I’m left in awe and wonder as He is waiting for my response.
As He lifts my chin and I gaze into His eyes, my heart sinks a little in disappointment of my lack of faith, but His warm hypnotizing love consumes me. The storm was stripped of power by His firm NO. Again, I’m left in awe of His authority.
I am feeling like WHY on earth did I not turn to Him to start with? I know better. Why did I let fear take root? I know who is in my boat. I know WHO can speak and calm bad storms. In fact, I can say NO in MY heart as I remember who I am and STILL the storm just like Him because He is inside of me.
The trick is putting more faith and trust into what I don’t see, rather than what I do.
That was my opportunity to practice what I KNOW in SPITE of what I see. Instead of scolding me Jesus embraces and encourages me with truth. He reminds me of how much He loves me. Of course THEN I remember ALL He has done for me and ALL I’ve seen Him do. I’ve witnessed His authority and I’ve seen His miracles.
“Erin, who will you BELIEVE?” Is etched on my heart. My fear disappears. His love has me captivated.
“ I choose You, Lord,” I say in my thoughts.
Maybe next time when something is seemingly threatening my journey, I will tell it a stern no. I will rebuke it in my mind and go to Jesus. I will think about His promises and desire to make Him proud as I make them mine and BELIEVE them. I will imagine the victory in the outcome. I will celebrate in my heart that I am His. I’m chosen and protected no matter what. His love will cast out the fear.
And just maybe I will be celebrating Jesus so wildly, celebrating all He is to me and all He has done for me, while DANCING on the boat! Dancing in His presence. Dancing so free like a child in the rain soaked in His love that I don’t even notice the storm that is all around me.
The rain will let up. The yellow sun will gently peak through the clouds. Full of joy, drenched in love, I will walk over and lay down by Jesus and fall fast asleep as a rainbow stretches across the sky.
Eyes Of A Lion 