One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”
Luke 8:22-25
Isn't it funny that the moment Jesus asks His disciples to cross to the other side He decides to go to sleep?!!
And so when the storm hits where is Jesus? Still asleep! Some may first look at this passage and immediatly think;
If He really is "all knowing" shouldn't He have steered them clear of the storm, or at least warned them!
How could he have slept when the people closest to Him were in danger?!
Is it that Jesus didn't care?
Maybe He was taking a day off, we all need a day off right?! While these thoughts have at one point passed through my mind as well, I can't help but KNOW Jesus is ALWAYS in control, and there is no storm that could catch Him off guard.
We all go through storms and trials at some point in our life that make us question where Jesus is at the moment. Does He even care or even see what's going on. The answer to those questions are YES HE SEES YOU! And while it may be difficult to see the reason why He hasn't "woken up" to stop the storm from rocking your boat, He is still in control and you can trust that He cares for you!
Look on down in the passage and you'll see that after Jesus calms the storm He turns and looks at His disciples and simply asks "where is your faith?"
Could it be that MAYBE just maybe Jesus believed in His disciples enough that He knew when the storm came that they had the faith to withstand? Could it be that maybe He was even giving them the opportunity to see their own faith in action?
Kind of like when a child is learning to walk. You don't hold their hands all the time, at some point you have to step back and allow them the opportunity to walk on their own two feet, otherwise they will never be able to take the next step.
When I was young I was terrified of taking the training wheels off of my bike. Both my parents would work with me on this but I would beg them with tears streaming down my face to not let go. But they knew better, and believed in my enough to know that they had to eventually let go of the seat if I was ever going to learn to ride on my own.
If you are going through a storm or trial, first of all, know you are NEVER alone. Secondly, think of this as an opportunity to excercise your faith and trust in Jesus that with Him you will never fail!
Remember He cares more about your character than your comfort! He wants to see you reach your FULL potential in Him while you are on this Earth!
Lastly, be encouraged with this scripture from James 1:2-4
"Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."
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