In My Boat: Trusting God in the Midst of the Storm Sample

  Storm Bender

When I was growing up, I remember my favorite cartoon at that time—Avatar. Avatar was a young boy who had the power to control the elements: water, air, fire and earth. Avatar used these powers to fight for justice. It was a fun watch every time.

In Matthew chapter 8, the disciples are in a raging storm. While they panicked, Jesus slept peacefully in a corner. When they eventually woke Him up, Jesus chastised them and immediately spoke to and calmed the storm. Jesus is the Storm Bender. This story brings to mind something I read: The question is never, "Are you in a storm?" The question is, "Is Jesus in your boat?” A part of the lyrics to my song, "In My Boat" says:

Even when I'm surrounded by the Storm

I will not be moved 

Because You are with me

Even when I'm surrounded by the Fire

I will not be shaken

Because You are with Me...

First, Jesus asks the disciples a question which I am going to repeat here: ‘Why are you afraid?’ Perhaps you are afraid because you do not know Jesus, with His storm bending powers, is in your boat. Or, perhaps you do not even know Jesus. If you fall in the first category, you may want to take a refresher course. Jesus is the water-transforming, dead-raising, sick-healing, hope-giving, food-providing, resurrecting mankind, saving Son of God. And we know that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is resident within us. We may be in a storm, but this becomes irrelevant when Jesus is in our boat. 

If you do not know Jesus, allow me to make the introductions. God came down to earth in the form of a man to save us. Being the sacrifice required to pay for our sins, He was crucified by men who sought to silence Him, but rose from the dead three days later. You may be going through your unique storm but without Jesus in your boat you are already in a storm even if you do not know it. True calm can only come when Jesus is in your boat.

The next thing Jesus says to the disciples is, “You have such little faith.” The Storm Bender is in your boat and yet every little wind and rain throws you into panic mode. Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The storm you are facing was foreseen by Jesus, and you are going to make it through this storm because He has been through all the storms on your behalf. Have faith. The wind may be blowing wild and tossing you around, the rain may be so blinding you feel like you no longer have direction. Have faith. Jesus not only has the desire to calm the storms of our lives, but He also has the power. And guess what? He has already done it. 

Prayer

Dear Lord,

I believe in Your storm bending powers and I rely on Your ability to calm this storm because I have You in my boat. 

In Jesus' name, 

Amen.