Self-Absorbed in the Storm

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Mark 4:36-51

The disciples are on the boat with Jesus, but they still find themselves in a storm. Can you relate? Have you ever been walking with Jesus; doing the right thing; going to church; treating others well; and still find yourself in a storm?

While they were in the midst of this mighty storm with raging waves and fierce winds, they do what most of us would do, they awake Jesus. Jesus calms the storm, but He also admonishes them because of their lack of faith. The storm was so great, that the Bible details their boat becoming full with water due to the waves that beat into the ship. Yet, Jesus rebukes them!

Was Jesus being harsh? Maybe harsh, like a committed coach, pushing his players to their greatest potential. Harsh, as a loving parenting, refusing to allow an “A” student settle for a “B.” Jesus was pushing the disciples into greater faith. He does the same with us. Jesus knows our capabilities and He wants us to reach our full potential in Him! God is pushing us to greater faith, because others are looking to us. We should stand out as a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9), who have faith in God, even in our biggest storms.

This same story is found in Matthew 8:23-27 and Luke 8:22-25, but it is in Mark’s rendition that mentions, the “other little ships.” When the disciples find themselves in this mighty storm, there were other “little ships” on the sea with them, as well. If their ship was struggling, can you imagine what was happening to the other little ships? The disciples were so self-absorbed in the storm, they gave no thought to the other little ships. When we are self-absorbed in our storm, we forget about others. Others who may be observing how we handle the storm. Others who may also be in a storm.

When we are self-absorbed in the storm, we will find ourselves having a pity party. Full of complaints, crying out, “Lord, why me!” While God could be saying, “O’ Ye of little faith.” We cannot be so self-absorbed in our storm that we forget about the other little ships. The other little ships, in our lives, could be our children, a new convert, or a struggling friend.

When Jesus speaks to the wind and waves; the other little ships were blessed as well. Jesus didn’t just stop the storm in the disciples’ boat, He stopped the storm on the entire sea! Stand firm in your faith, so the other little ships around you will be blessed by your faith in Christ!

Some little ship, might be looking to see how you handle your storm. Don’t become self-absorbed in the storm. Instead, even in the storm, bear your cross with faith in God. Allow the one who controls the wind and the waves to keep you, in the storm.