Is it possible to be asleep in the storm? I piled my wife and daughters into a canoe and left the dock to cross the mountain lake. The idea seemed a good one at the time, ripe with the possibility of family bonding and the potential for some good memories. We crossed the midpoint of the lake about the time I discovered a miniature geyser shooting water between my feet. I attempted to plug the hole with a toe only to have another leak appear beyond my reach.
I calmly made an excuse to Shawn that I was not feeling well, and we should return to port. She turned to look and caught the alarm posted on my face. Slowly we turned the canoe and added some force to the paddle strokes to increase speed.
My daughter Amanda, seated just in front of me, realized, “Hey! My feet are wet. There’s water in the boat!” OK, the cat was out of the bag. Instructing my daughters to sit very still I applied myself to paddling a water-laden canoe toward the shore. We reached a point where the ladies could abandon ship and wade to shore while the captain went down with the ship.
A boat ride
Mark records in chapter four of his Gospel that Jesus held an extended teaching session from the vantage point of a small boat while the listening crowds pressed together on the shore. I read somewhere that the geology of the region made this a perfect amphitheater. As the day wound down Jesus gave his disciples an instruction.
On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”
Mark 4:35 NASB
Those are the words of Christ. Certain. Authoritative. As the disciples set sail (or rowed or some combination of the two) Jesus fell asleep in the stern. Those who have labored in preaching or teaching know the work can be exhausting.
Life has a way of dumping challenges on us at the least expected moments, and this boat ride proved such a trying circumstance for the disciples. A gale arose. As the wind howled the waves tossed the little boat all the while filling it with water.
And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.
Mark 4:37 NASB
The fight for survival
What seemed to be a leisurely cruise across the lake became a fight for survival. The experienced fishermen were not new to storms, but this beast seemed wilder than any they had encountered. They struck the sail and rowed hard to keep the boat turned into the waves. Those without oars bailed water like their lives depended on it.
And where was Jesus? At peace. Sleeping soundly. Comfortable. Confident in His Father’s care. Why did He have such poise? He knew and did His Father’s will. Drowning in the lake was not the plan. Jesus was going to the other side to continue His ministry.
The storm was real. The wind was real. The lightning was real. The slamming waves were real. The rising water level in the boat was real. There was a tipping point where the SS Discipleship could succumb to the elements and sink to the bottom. Ever feel that way as you navigated adversity?
Remember God’s Words to us
Our problems in the storm are compounded when we forget the Word of God with its promises and encouragements. What destination had Jesus given for this voyage? “Let us go over to the other side.” He was certain enough of the outcome that He continued sleeping…until the disciples woke Him.
I can’t criticize the disciples. I’m guilty of focusing all my attention on the storm, too, while I forget completely about the Man asleep in the boat with me. I have His presence promised with words as sure as those which announced the intended destination for the little boat.
The unnamed writer of Hebrews put the proper perspective this way:
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”
Hebrews 13:5 NASB
The writer was no doubt familiar with the portion of scripture we call the Old Testament. He quoted from it more than thirty times. The promise shown above can be found in at least two passages in Deuteronomy.
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NASBThe LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB
May my faith in my Father grow till I too can sleep through the storm.