Worship Opportunities

Yesterday’s waves were churning and crashing. Unaware of an approaching storm, I confidently braved the waters with our youngest son. Pulled and held under the water twice in rapid succession, we quickly retreated. We were nearly tossed back on shore, recognizing the sea’s waters were more than we could safely handle that day. 

The ocean’s chaos is worthy of reverent respect.

Our brief experience made me think of the terror brought on by a chaotic sea centuries ago and the calm that resulted from the command of its Creator. Three gospel writers include this account, the most detailed in Mark 4:35-41.

35 On that day, when evening had come, he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” 36 So they left the crowd and took him along since he was in the boat. And other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die? ”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still! ” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith? ”

41 And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him! ”

The disciples had seen Jesus perform many miracles by this point, yet from what we read in the Scriptures, they had never been the recipients of a miracle that was quite so personal. They weren’t watching Jesus rescue someone else; they were the ones in need of the rescue. 

Having several experienced fishermen in this band of disciples, the fear they had in this storm is telling. They’d certainly been on the sea in stormy waters, but this one seemed to be different, leaving them desperate for help.

Have you ever experienced a “storm” like this in your own life? One where you cried out, “Jesus, don’t you care?” I certainly have! 

Yet, out of the chaos of this intense scene, the disciples’ fear shifts. Rather than being terrified of the storm, they are in awe of the One who calmed it. 

“Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Though chaos will always present its threats, I’m grateful that God often uses it to humble me, not always by more peaceful circumstances, but by reorienting my gaze on Him.