Storms Along The Voyage
Storms Along The Voyage
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” - Matthew 8:23-27
We are 6 months into a pandemic. Work life is different, family life is different, and if you’re anything like me, faith life is different. I have a lot of questions right now. Why did God allow this pandemic? When is it all going to end? And why do I feel so inadequate to weather the storm? This passage of scripture reminds me of two things that make this new world we are living in a little more doable.
First, the people that were closest to Jesus, His disciples, had these same kinds of questions and doubts. The men that gave up their lives to follow Jesus found themselves in a storm that scared them so badly, that they started losing faith and losing hope. Is this Jesus really worth following if He can’t or won’t bail us out now? I get that, I feel that way too.
Second, these disciples were following the path that Jesus had set for them. He is the one who directed them where and when to set sail. Even while following the guidance and direction of their Lord, the storm still came.
So what can we all learn from this great story? Even those who are closest to Jesus can get rattled by life, and Jesus will be there to remind us that we have nothing to fear because “even winds and sea obey him.”
Lastly, just because we are following God’s way for our life doesn’t mean that the path will be free of difficulty. The promise is that God is with us even when the storms rage on.
Peace,
Pastor Mitch
Devotional Questions:
Lord, help me keep my eyes focused on you. Whether life is good or bad, help me find my strength and joy in following you. Remind me to spend more time with you and center my day around your plan for my life. Amen.
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” - Matthew 8:23-27
We are 6 months into a pandemic. Work life is different, family life is different, and if you’re anything like me, faith life is different. I have a lot of questions right now. Why did God allow this pandemic? When is it all going to end? And why do I feel so inadequate to weather the storm? This passage of scripture reminds me of two things that make this new world we are living in a little more doable.
First, the people that were closest to Jesus, His disciples, had these same kinds of questions and doubts. The men that gave up their lives to follow Jesus found themselves in a storm that scared them so badly, that they started losing faith and losing hope. Is this Jesus really worth following if He can’t or won’t bail us out now? I get that, I feel that way too.
Second, these disciples were following the path that Jesus had set for them. He is the one who directed them where and when to set sail. Even while following the guidance and direction of their Lord, the storm still came.
So what can we all learn from this great story? Even those who are closest to Jesus can get rattled by life, and Jesus will be there to remind us that we have nothing to fear because “even winds and sea obey him.”
Lastly, just because we are following God’s way for our life doesn’t mean that the path will be free of difficulty. The promise is that God is with us even when the storms rage on.
Peace,
Pastor Mitch
Devotional Questions:
- How have the last 6 months changed the way you think about God? Has your faith changed in any way?
- What is one time that you felt like you were close to God, and another time that you felt far from God? How much of your experience of God was shaped by your circumstances?
Lord, help me keep my eyes focused on you. Whether life is good or bad, help me find my strength and joy in following you. Remind me to spend more time with you and center my day around your plan for my life. Amen.
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