In The Boat

A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. - Mark 4:37-38

There are two stories of the disciples getting caught in a storm while on a boat. One is when they’re alone and Jesus comes to them walking on the water. The other is this one, where Jesus is with them and while they’re all freaking out he’s asleep on a pillow.

Don’t you just love that image?

So, is Jesus uncaring or unattentive to the fear of his friends? Of course not. Is he just a deep sleeper? Maybe, but I don’t think that’s the point. Rather, this is a little reminder about how we navigate our way through storms when they hit. Do we become frightened, angry, despondent, and hopeless? Or, do we look to Jesus? When we do and find him asleep on a cushion in the middle of it, what’s he trying to tell us?

Maybe he’s trying to tell us to not let the storm frighten us so much. Ride it, navigate through it, and don’t be so afraid. Jesus is with us, he’s clearly not worried, so maybe we shouldn’t be so much, either.

Storms are scary. They are loud and chaotic and feel far bigger than us. They also always pass and the sun eventually comes out again.

We all experience storms. They are something none of us can avoid. What matters is how we go through them. Next time one hits, perhaps think of Jesus asleep on a pillow and remember something we too often forget in the midst of the chaos:

Jesus is with you in the boat. You got this.

PRAYER

Loving Savior, remind us that you are always in the boat with us and grant us the courage to not allow the storms to overwhelm us.

Amen.

Peace,

Shawn