Luke 8.22-25

//One day He got into a boat with His disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake”. So they set out, and as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He awoke and rebuked the wind and raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith? And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?//

Luke 8:22-25

Once we get into the boat with Jesus, we are guaranteed to go on an adventure with Him. He doesn’t call us into a life of stagnation but a life of mission. We may tip toe on the boat in fear, overwhelmed by the unknown but trusting our known Savior. But He will look into our doubting eyes and beckon an invitation to go across to the other side of the sea. Whether that boat is ignite, leadership, marriage, singleness, sickness or whatever the Lord calls us to step into, we can glean so much from this story of a storm in the disciple’s life. First of all, Jesus never left His disciples and He will never leave or forsake us. Though they were going through the storm right next to Him, they panicked because they thought that He had forgotten about them. We all do the exact same thing in our own life. When the waters get wild and the winds start to blow we automatically assume that He has left us alone. I know my natural inclination is to freak out and question God’s goodness and sovereignty when I enter a trial. His goodness remains whether the storm or the still waters. We were never promised a life free from danger, but we are promised His absolute sovereignty and faithfulness. Instead of a life of ease we are actually guaranteed a life of trial and persecution but we take great hope in Jesus’ words to our fearful hearts “take heart. I have overcome the world”.

As the disciples ran to Him in fear He rebuked the winds and waves in the sea. He restored their safety and calmed their doubts. If Jesus can calm the raging sea, He can calm my anxious heart in any season. He rebukes the winds and waves in our heart and mind. Mercy triumphs over judgement and we are rooted and grounded in a mercy that has no end. When I am faithless, He remains faithful. Even in the moments where I fall in fear rather than hold fast in faith, His lovingkindness reigns. He doesn’t throw me off of the boat at the first sign of faithlessness. He arises and rescues me out of the many waters.

Application: I will not let even the smallest fear hold me back from following the Spirit’s leading. Today I will encourage someone that the Lord put on my heart to talk to. Gracie and Alisha are holding me accountable to this.