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?”

Mark 4:36-41

After a day of teaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus, and his disciples decided to cross to the other shore. While sailing, Jesus fell asleep in the bow of the ship. When a windstorm arose, it was of such ferocity that it promised to swamp and sink the boats. It was at this desperate moment that the disciples knew that they had to awaken Jesus.  He was their last hope. 

The disciples in the boat with Jesus were experienced fishermen and boatmen were familiar with the Sea of Galilee and were not easily frightened by its frequent and unexpected storms. But this was so mighty that they feared they would drown. So they woke Jesus. And what were their first words?  “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” After rebuking the sea, Jesus rebuked His disciples:  “…have you no faith?”

Of course, Jesus, Who is Master of the Universe and beyond, easily rebuked the wind and the waves and caused them to become calm.  Now the disciples had a new fear: “Who is this that even the wind and sea obey Him!”  They seemed to be continuously amazed by Jesus.  And so they should have been.

Many of us are in places in our lives where the winds and waves of life threaten to sink our proverbial “ship.” This can happen when Satan is allowed to bring hardship or temptation into your life. This can cause us to think that God doesn’t care about us or that we will not be rescued from our struggles. 

In times like this, it is important to remember who Christ is and to have faith in him. Even though he is utterly transcendent and beyond us, his Grace knows no limits, his Mercy no bounds. Yes, it is alright to cry out to him when all looks hopeless because he is Loving and all-powerful. 

This week, if you are in the midst of life’s storms, God is there for you. If you cry out to him, he will help you endure the waves and winds of life.