The Perfect Storm
written by Pastor Emmanuel Tapala
Many years back I saw a movie called “The Perfect Storm'' which actually showed me a glimpse of what a storm looks like. No one survived in that storm because it was huge and deadly.
Recently, Lord led me to a passage In Mark 4:37 - 41 which speaks about a similar storm. I believe it was a perfect storm for the disciples' life to change. Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen. They made their living off the water by catching fish. They were bound to have come across storms now and then, but this one was a large one that the disciples were afraid for their lives. This story starts after Jesus had preached to a crowd and gets in a boat. The disciples follow him and Jesus says that they will go to the other side of the lake. The disciples are simply following Jesus wherever he goes. As they traveled across the sea of Galilee a great windstorm occurred that there was water coming into their boat. While this was going on Jesus was asleep in the stern. The disciples proceeded to wake up Jesus and tell him what was going on. They wake him up letting him know they are in danger and perishing because of the storm. Jesus then gets up and rebukes the wind and the waves and they stop.
Recently, I read this quote which says “If you aren’t hurting, you aren’t changing.” God allowed this storm so they could overcome fear and have faith in God. It is incredible to see the peace that Jesus had in this situation and the complete turmoil that the disciples were in. Jesus was at peace and not worried about the storm around them. There was no reason for the disciples to be afraid.
We are also in a storm and we may feel that God is sleeping or gone on vacation. Just like the Disciples we also ask, 'don't you care what we are going through? We are going to die and nobody cares for us.' Jesus got up and looked at the situation and said “Peace be still”. Jesus spoke to the storm. Many times we don't speak to the storm, sickness or disease. We need to speak the Word of God to the storm.
Then Jesus asked two powerful questions in verse 40: Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? Jesus wanted His disciples to deal with their fear and unbelief. Many times we also need to deal with our fear and build our faith by feeding on the word of God. No matter what storm comes, we will have the Word to speak and calm the storm.
'When Jesus is in the boat of our lives, he is in-charge and will take us through the storm.'
