In the Same Boat.

This is a first for me, that is, writing a blog. I’ve often thought that it would be a “fun” thing to do until I recognized that, well, you need something to blog about! So when the opportunity was presented to the elders to share some thoughts or encouraging words during these rather challenging times, I recognized this could be my one, and maybe only, opportunity to do so!

As I prayed about this, what came to mind is a passage in scripture that jumped out at me with some fresh thoughts. I'm sure you will recognize the passage, for you, like me have probably read it countless times, and may have been taught about it back in the days of felt figures on a felt board in Sunday School. Yes, I’m dating myself. 

Mark 4: 35-41. “On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’”

Now let's picture this. I looked up what a boat presumably looked like at that period in history, a boat that the disciples may have used. It was somewhat in appearance to that of a hollowed out banana, open, with a mast and a sail in the middle. The disciples were no strangers to sailing these particular waters; they were experienced. Jesus was in the stern, which is the back of the boat … (where you feel the most of the motion). He was asleep on a cushion that would have been absolutely soaked and soggy. He would have been wet, cold and far from comfortable. He was not in a luxurious cabin below deck! The boat was filing with water!  Can you picture it? The disciples would have been bailing water like crazy, trying to keep the boat afloat. It was sinking, and it seems they finally realized they could not save the boat, or themselves. So at that moment, in that realization, they turned to Jesus. 

Jesus is not awakened by the storm and calamity around him, nor his physical discomfort, but by the disciples. Can you imagine, the waves and storm are of so little concern to him that he does not stir, yet a plea from his disciples awakens him right away?

The first thing Jesus does is rebuke the storm. Then he questions the disciples about their fear, not for his own sake, for there was nothing hidden from him, but for theirs. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" That is, do you still not believe that I love you and will take care of you?

What struck me about this was that at no point during the storm was Jesus himself in any danger of sinking, drowning or peril of any kind, as he was destined to fulfill the plan of his Heavenly Father to live until the time whereby his earthly ministry would culminate at Calvary. The disciples were therefore in no danger either, as they were in the same boat with Christ! And their lives and ministry was mapped out as well. They just could not see it. 

I suppose Jesus could have let the storm rage, or make it slow down a bit, or make it a little easier to row, or even helped bail water. But instead, he calmed it totally, completely, utterly, leaving no room for doubt, and I believe, did so not just to demonstrate his sovereignty over the elements, but also to remove the very thing that caused the men so much anxiety and fear. In other words, he removed the anxiety-causing problem … the storm … for their sake. He showed his grace, mercy, love and compassion, and responded to them as they were, his children, frail, fearful, but seeking their master. He did so for God’s glory and their good! Without that experience of the storm, they may never have been able to experience the awe inspiring, humbling, yet glorious understanding of Christ’s power and love for them! How often has the Lord done that for you and for me, when life and the events we experience create so much fear and uncertainty in us!

Or maybe he delays the relief for a time. This does not mean he does not love and care for us. Romans 8: 28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Not some things, but all things work together for good, even delayed relief!

We also must acknowledge that the Lord does not always take away the very problem that causes us so much trouble. As in Paul's case he pleaded with the Lord to remove a thorn that was given him in the flesh.  2 Corinthians 12: 7-9 explains, "So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

We can boast and even rejoice in our weaknesses and trials, because of the grace of Jesus Christ. This does not come naturally to us, however this is where we cry out to our Lord for help. In the gospel of Mark we read of a father imploring the Lord to heal his son. Mark 2: 22-24 says "And Jesus asked his father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “’ believe; help my unbelief!’”

If you have placed your faith in Christ, your eternity, the outcome of your life, is and was never in doubt. God is sovereign over every event in your life, even when you sin and make a total mess of things. He will strengthen you and sustain you even when your faith is small. As Isaiah 41:10 says "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

When I look back over the course of my days, I am in awe at what God has done for me; it is truly amazing and totally undeserved, but that is the miraculous, mysterious, grace of God!

Now that's something to blog about!