Luke 8:24-25 ESV

And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

This story opened my eyes. The disciples were traveling with Jesus and had been for a while. Jesus asked them to continue the journey and go to the other side of the lake. They were fishermen, so they knew their boat and how to sail. As they are sailing, Jesus fell asleep. He was still in the boat because they could clearly see him. But when the storm came, what did they do? They retreated to what they knew before, fear.

Close your eyes and picture the scene. The winds are roaring; the water is raging up and into the boat. The boat is rocking wildly. The skies are stormy, dark and full of fierce clouds. The disciples are shouting out orders to try to keep the boat afloat! Then they notice Jesus. He is kicked back asleep. How in the world could he be sleeping through all this! They shake him in a panic and scream “We are going to die!” Jesus stands up and says, “Hush.” The storm subsides and all is calm.

Then in the silence of the calm, Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?” Had the disciples not learned anything from him? Had they not been paying attention? Were they truly not understanding? The disciples experienced a different type of fear, one with amazement. They were in awe of what they had just witnessed.

They had seen the numerous healings, casting out of demons, and raising people from death to life, but they had never seen him rule nature itself. Only God could do that because he was the Creator. Was this really the Son of God? I believe they were seeing a deeper connection and needed to see this because what no imagination could fathom what was to come.

I can’t begin to count the number of times that I cried out to Jesus for help, feeling like I was stuck in a pit or drowning. Each morning, I ask him to walk through the day with me, guiding me, strengthening me, and providing whatever I need to help me grow closer to him and allow others to see Jesus through me. Yet, there are still times I try to do it on my own and only when I realize I am drowning do I cry out and recognize that Jesus is already there. He has been there all along. Faith is trusting Jesus is already there and in control. Lord, increase my faith!

Challenge: Realize that God is already where you are, reach out and accept his help.

Blessings!

Kathryn