The storms of life

Having brought the son of the widow of Nain back to life, Jesus, got into a boat that evening with his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee, a journey of 3 to 4 miles. The crossing could be dangerous in that the lake was some 700 feet below sea level with mountains on the east and west sides with valleys though which the wind could quickly create waves up to 8 feet. Jesus was asleep in the stern resting his head on a sandbag when the storm rose with waves crashing across the deck. The frightened disciples rushed to Jesus calling for help and in their fearful state asked Jesus if he didn’t care that they were going to die. At that point Jesus rose and ordered the wind and waves to cease, which they obeyed and all became calm once again. The disciples shook their heads in amazement.  
       Sometimes it is interesting to take a real story and let it become an outline for teaching some lesson for life. Let‘s see where this one takes us.
       When the disciples decided to cross the lake with Jesus it was like moving into a new period of life itself? The job in one place is over and it is time to explore new possibilities. We have the strong feeling that Jesus would have us accept this challenge and we know that he will be with us. So we leave the place where we were comfortable with the surroundings and head out. The trip to a new place and better opportunities begins well, but it isn’t long before the wind of opposition begins to pick up. Certain obstacles begin to develop in our venture. The wind stirs the waves of life and makes it difficult. We can no longer see where we are going. Other passengers are experiencing the same kind of difficulties. Soon life is at the mercy of the waves of change. We decide to find something that promises stability and hold onto it because everything else is so unsteady.
       Where is Jesus? He promised to be with us in times like this, so I can’t understand. The storms of life have really set in now. We aren’t sure where we are and we don’t know what to do about it, We are in the midst of a major problem and can’t find the solution. So finally we go to Jesus. By now we have lost sight of any way through. We accuse him with, ”Don’t you care!”   Jesus arises slowly, stands, looks into the storm and simply tells the storm to die. And it does. God is in control after all. Here we are between two jobs and it looks like we had made a really bad mistake. We marvel at why we did’nt take the problem to him sooner.
The lesson is simple.
       Don’t be afraid of change
       Don‘t stare at life’s problems, do something about them
       Trust God completely