Do you ever feel like you're being called to something new, called to a new place, called to do something different? We have these feelings, these epiphanies at different times in our lives, and sometimes we listen to them and sometimes we ignore them. One of the great themes that we read about throughout the Gospels is the theme of the storm. It's a great theme. Why? Because our lives are stormy. There are a lot of storms in life. A storm facing people is the closing of their church.
Jesus says to his disciples, "Let's go across to the other side. What does that mean to you? What would he be inviting you to? Because I think he is inviting you and me to go with him to the other side. Maybe it's got something to do with your church. Maybe it's got something to do with your health, your marriage, your children. When Jesus says to us, "Come with me, and let's go across to the other side," we don't want to, right? Sometimes we don't want to and we begin to panic. Or perhaps, more correctly, we want to be on the other side, but we don't want to go across the lake to the other side. We want Jesus to just sort of pick us up and drop us on the other side. We don't actually want to make the journey. We don't want to make the transition. And that's why we're resistant. Because we're mindful that out on the lake, it's stormy out there. The lake's unpredictable. Life out on the water is unpredictable and can get scary.
So when Jesus says, "Hey, people, let's go out on the lake and go across the other side," we are a little bit hesitant. "Jesus and the disciples, they get in the boats, they go out there. A great storm of wind arose, and the waves began to beat the boat, and the boat began to fill with water."
Where's Jesus? He's asleep. What does this tell us? It's so many things. Firstly, it tells us most of the things we worry about, Jesus would sleep through. because He knows there's nothing to worry about. We know that most of the things we worry about never actually happen. Imagine how much more Jesus knows that. So the disciples are freaking out. Jesus is asleep. And finally, they wake him up. What do they say to him? Teacher, do you not care? You don't care about us. We're perishing here and you're asleep, taking a nap. Jesus calms the waves, says, "Peace, be still," he calms the waves. And he says to them, "Why are you afraid?" What's he really saying? He's really saying, hey people, I'm right here. I've been taking care of you all your life. Why are you afraid? Haven't you learned yet? If you're with me, you're going to be okay. The problem is when you step away from me, that's when you should worry, that's a real storm. That's a storm to be worried about. But you're with me. Why are you afraid?
And so two questions I want you to think about. The other side, what is the other side that Jesus is inviting you to journey with Him to? And the second question is, what is the storm in your life at this time? We've all got a storm in our lives. Sometimes it's an afternoon shower and sometimes it's a hurricane. What is the storm in your life right now? Yes, some churches are closing and we have choices to make how best to stay close to Jesus.
And where is Jesus in your storm? Are you with Jesus in the storm? Is Jesus asleep? Because if he's asleep, he's telling you, it's okay. We're going to get through this. This will pass. Stay with me. You'll be alright. I'll make sure you're all right. That's what he's saying to us. What's the storm in your life and what journey is God inviting you to? Come to the other side.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who need to let go and trust that during this time of transition, we will land safely on the other side where Jesus is waiting to greet us with the assurance that we will be okay.
The Storm on the Sea of Galilee is the only seascape ever painted by Rembrandt. It depicts Jesus calming the waves of the sea, saving the lives of the fourteen men aboard the vessel. Of these fourteen men, it is said Rembrandt included a self portrait of himself in the boat, next to Jesus and his twelve disciples. On March 18, 1990, the painting was stolen by thieves disguised as police officers. They broke into the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum in Boston, Massachusetts, and stole this painting, along with twelve other works. The paintings have never been recovered, and it is considered the biggest art theft in history. The empty frames of the paintings still hang in their original location,
