ON THE VANGUARD

PEACE! BE STILL!
"[Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to His disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?' They were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!'"
Mark 4:39-41

Imagine with me for a moment being one of the twelve disciples. You are in your boat heading toward the region of the Gerasenes. On the horizon you see the makings of a storm. You've been through many storms as a fisherman, so at first this one doesn't scare you. But as it continues to draw closer, you have second thoughts. Soon enough this storm is festering like a raging bull. Your lack of concern in no time at all becomes panic and fear. You question waking up Jesus. After all, it has been a long day of teaching for Him, and the crowds pushed in for healing all day. But then again, you are afraid...paniced! So you stir Him, quickly point out the storm you're in the midst of, wondering how He managed to sleep through it anyway, and then panic some more. "Don't you even care if we die? Jesus, we're about to die!"
He looks at you and you see it in His eyes. Disappointment. His head drops slightly, His smile begins to fade, and the pep in His step is gone. He walks over to the edge of the boat, raises His arms out across the water and says with authority, "PEACE! BE STILL!" These words echo across the water louder than the waves that rise. You question power as you see the waves around the boat begin to cease in a rippling effect. Then, little by little, you realize that He is greater than you ever thought. With His head still low from disappointment, He gently speaks His rebuke. "Why are you so afraid? You've been with Me, seen Me do miracles, seen My heart for My people, and just today heard about a mustard seed of faith, and still you have no faith. Why do you act like cowards when I am here with you?"
His words cut deep even though they are spoken so gently. But He is right. As you ponder what Jesus has just said, and reflect back on the miracles you have already seen Him perform, the reverence of who He is invades your thoughts. "Who is this? Who is this man that even the wind and waves obey?"
How many times do we find ourselves in that same boat? We cry out, "Jesus, my mortgage is due! Jesus, my marriage is crumbling! Jesus, I just lost my job! Jesus, my family member is dieing! Jesus, Jesus, JESUS!" And He, who never lets us go, says, "PEACE! BE STILL! I already know and have it under control. Where is your faith in Me?" When He brings us through, we praise Him. But when we're in the middle of it, we panic and convince ourselves that He has forgotten us. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "He will never leave you nor forsake you." Why are we so afraid that the God who loves us enough to send His Son to die for us will let us die in our struggles? When will we realize the power that He holds and rest in Him?