Stormy Weather

We have been doing a study of Jesus in Sunday School and last week, we focused on Jesus being God. We read Mark 4:35-41, the story of how Jesus calms the storm while sailing on the Sea of Galilee. Please take the time to read this short passage. If you've grown up in church at all, you're familiar with the story, but the details we can pull out as adults are so awesome.

First of all, in verse 35, Jesus tells his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side." (meaning the sea) and they all went. They didn't call home to tell everyone where they were going. They didn't need to cancel their own plans or pack a suit case, they just went. They trusted Him and went. Then, as, they're sailing along, a violent storm comes up and Jesus stays asleep. Of course his disciples are flipping out, but he's tired. After they ask him to "Don't you care if we die?" he gets up and with 1 statement "Quiet! Be still" the storm stops. The author of the commentary compares this to a parent with a child, except, Christ has this power over a force of nature.

I wanted to write about this story and what I've learned from it because of the simplicity of holding onto Jesus. Well, I say simplicity, but it really can be a struggle. In "stormy" times of our lives, weather it be loss, heartache, health issues, or immense stress, we so often want to fix things ourselves and not allow God to take control. I am trying to get in the mindset of the disciples in Mark 4:41, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!"

When we question the world around us and the issues that are tearing us apart, the same man that commanded the waves to be quiet has that authority in our lives...that is something to be excited about!