by Kala Loptien

He’s in the Boat

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this Sound Cloud link.

And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?” Matthew 8: 26-27 ESV

Do you ever catch yourself in the middle of a “mind wandering”? I think we do it more often than not. The other day, I was driving home from church and my thoughts were abruptly interrupted.

I was going through the “why’s and what if’s” of my story when a pastor came on the radio. He was referencing the passage where Jesus and the disciples are at sea. As we know, they are shaking in their boots (or sandals rather). They are absolutely terrified and find Jesus “in the stern, asleep on the cushion,” as Mark’s version states. Jesus gets up, rebukes the elements and instantly, all is peaceful. But as he is rising, he takes the opportunity to ask the disciples a quick question. Why are you afraid? Not only that, he challenges the genuineness of their faith, saying they have little of it!

How often do we catch ourselves wandering into a doubt-filled headspace? How frequently are we fearful of our circumstances or the unknown of the future? I should probably tell you what this radio pastor said that brought me out of the storm cloud in my brain. His words continue to stick with me: “I’d rather be in the storm with Jesus than anywhere else without him.” That’s it. He’s absolutely right. No matter how hard or heartbreaking, scary or unpredictable the seas of life might be, we constantly need that reminder that HE is in the boat with us. He will not leave us. He has the power to calm the chaos and bring about true, lasting peace. Lord Jesus, when we find ourselves troubled at heart and crushed in spirit, let us hear your voice and know you’re near. Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado