It was a beautiful day when my husband Bill and I started our walk. We enjoyed the sunshine, but did notice the storm which was quickly approaching. The wind kicked up suddenly when we were a few blocks from home. When the rain started we were soaked through within a minute. We were running as fast as we could. Bill grabbed my hand and was dragging me along.

Left One day Jesus and His disciples had spent the entire day with people. Jesus had taught many people really important things on all different topics. It would be like a long day at a conference with one speaker, sharing excellent and informative things all day long.Then He fits in healing a whole bunch of people.  Now it is time to go home. 

So, the main speaker who was Jesus, tells his ministry team (the disciples) to get into the boat and take them to the other side. He was going to go to the back of the boat and take a snooze. He must have been pretty tired as He went to sleep pretty fast by the sounds of things. 

The storm seemed to kick up pretty quickly and these disciples were managing pretty good I imagine. After all, some of them at least had spent their lives on the sea as they were fishermen before they met Jesus! Well, when the waves were so high they were breaking over the side of the boat and  rowing was not easy. That was it, they thought they were doomed. In a panic they did what I would have done, they woke up Jesus. 

Lord, don't you see, we are going to drown here! How can you sleep through our terrible struggles, You are bigger then this storm! Make it stop! I am terrified and I hate being terrified! Jesus woke up and spoke to them, rebuking them for their lack of faith then spoke to the  wind and the waves and it stopped! The disciples could honestly say, they had never seen anything like this before. 

It is curious that Jesus chose not to say" Sorry my disciples for not waking up sooner" rather He rebukes them for their lack of faith. After all He said they were going to the other side. Somehow the strength of the wind and the hieght of those waves just knocked everything the Lord said to them before they started out, right out of their heads. 

Sometimes, life is like that. We go through storms of all kinds, and we know just how those disciples felt. Jesus, don't you see me? Don't you see how steep the climb is and how tired I am? 

What is it Jesus was really looking for from His disciples?

It was a willingness to endure the storm and trust His word that they were going to the other side, regardless of how bad things might look. 

Jesus is the one who calls us to  "walk by faith and not by sight". To trust Him for each moment. When a storm is really bad, you get through it trusting Jesus one minute at a time. If you are familiar with suffereing you will know of what I speak. By His grace and strength, we get through. We did not think we would all the time, but we did. We are here to tell the story. 

Maybe this week is one of thoes kinds of weeks for you. The wind and the rain is crazy all around you and it seems Christ is asleep in the back of the boat. The Bible tells us in Matthew 28:20" I am with you always, even
to the end of the age." He is with you. Wherever you find yourself, He is there.

The One who stilled the waves and made the wind stop, is with you. He is asking you to trust Him to get you to the other side. He is faithful and will do it. You can read this story of Jesus and His disciples and the storm in Matthew 8:23-27.