FaunceBlog

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is
this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" - Mark 4:35-41 (NRSV)

_________________________

[Jesus] said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" - Mark 4:40 (NIV)
_________________________

IN August 1992, Hurricane Andrew smashed into South Florida. Early in the morning, when the storm was at its height, one of our windows was smashed, letting in wind and rain. While I was trying to cover that window, I could hear others breaking. I realized that no matter how hard I tried, I was incapable of protecting our home and belongings. At that point, my wife said, "Let's just get safe."

Our family took refuge in the safest interior room in our home. I sat there on the floor as the rest of the house banged and shuddered and water poured in from the attic, ruining just about everything.

But an amazing thing happened. When I gave up trying to save things that didn't matter and stopped relying on myself, as soon as I let go completely and put our safety in God's hands, I felt a sense of peace - so much so that I slept soundly throughout the rest of the storm.

Whenever I think of that night, I remember how Jesus calmed the storm, rebuking the wind and waves by commanding, "Quiet! Be still!" (Mark 4:39). I believe that he was speaking not only to the wind but also to the turmoil and fear in his disciples' hearts. Sometimes, the greatest storms happen within.