When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him. —Matthew 14:32–33
Matthew 14 tells the story of Jesus sending the disciples across the Sea of Galilee without Him. He gave directions, and they obeyed. But when evening came, a storm kicked up.
The disciples may have expected smooth sailing, but what they got was a dreadful night of terror, exhaustion, and uncertainty. All because they followed Jesus’ instructions.
This is a hard reality. I like to picture Jesus calming the storm, not sending me into it. But as a follower of Jesus, I must recognize that sometimes God disrupts my smooth-sailing vacation and positions me to face wind and waves.
I’m so thankful for the sunny days of respite that God allows. But I also know there will be other dark nights when God leads me back into a storm. These prolonged periods of painful uncertainty aren’t meant to terrify me; they are meant to set a backdrop. In the storm, we see Christ’s beauty and experience His satisfying presence in a way that we cannot when the birds are chirping in the background.
Make it Personal
How has Christ’s presence become more comforting in the storms of life? How have His promises become more dear?