"The Wind against them." (vs.48)

I would never consider myself an accomplished wind surfer, especially after my ill-fated first attempt some years ago on a visit to Malaysia. My brother made it look so easy as he glided effortlessly over the rolling waves convincing me that if he could do it, so could I. I was quickly to find out that getting on the board was not the most difficult part of this sport. What defeated me, and contributed to my decision to stick with only land sports, was my inability to stay on that board against the forces of wind and current. The harder I tried the further off course I went. When my brother could no longer see me from the shore he assumed I had found a resting-place among the corals nearly a mile from where I was supposed to be. In fact, I was stuck and would have remained there had he not mercifully put off the need to get back at me for all the things I did to him as a child.

Stuck and helpless must have been the best way to describe the disciples on that day when Jesus told them to cross the sea. It was late afternoon and the calm of the Sea of Galilee was interrupted by a sudden and ferocious storm. Caught in this dilemma the disciples found that the harder they tried, the further off course they went. Safe to say, if Jesus had not come to their rescue their fate would have been sealed. Yet, he did not leave them to struggle through this storm on their own. Mark beautifully portrays Christ looking from the shore and observing the disciples "straining at the oars because the wind was against them."

Many of us will often find ourselves caught in storms within which we find ourselves helpless. Our tendency is to strain at the oars on our own, but the more we do the further off course we drift. The are some storms we just can't handle on our own - we need the help of our Lord. This story offers some important truths that will bring calm and progress to our wind-whipped lives and which you will find both encouraging and challenging.

First, we can find assurance in knowing that Jesus knows our need and takes that need to the Father even before he responds to us. 1 John 2:1 tells us we have an advocate who "speaks to the Father in our defense." Christ knew the forces would rage against his disciples and his strategy to rescue them began with prayer. There is a lesson here for effective service. It too must begin with prayer.

Second, we can find comfort in knowing that he sees our need. Verse 48 tells us "he saw them straining at the oars." Our struggles in life are not unseen by our precious Father. Christians are urged to take on thier trials with the deep awareness that God our Father knows and he sees what we undergo. We are not alone. The rescue of Israel began with their plight being made visible to God. His view of their bondage reflected the pain of his heart in having to see them suffer under such great bondage. "The Israelites groaned in their slavery… God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant." (Exodus 2:23-24) Through the scriptures we observe a God who sees first then acts on our behalf.

Third, He has the power over the need. By walking on water to come to their rescue he proved that he has the power over the need. He holds the power over nature so he can certainly exercise that power over the need. Think of it! He made that mountain on which he prayed that morning with his own hands. The wind that pounded against that boat was made by his command. The waters were his idea. There is no force against us that is not under his control and subject to his power.

Fourth, we find that he will often wait till we need him before he responds to our plight. God often chooses not to help us until we admit our helplessness. There is little he can do for people who stubbornly want to look to solve their own problems.

Fifth, we are encouraged to know that he will climb in the boat to be with us. It is interesting that the Lord reassures his disciples with the words, "Take courage it is I. Don't be afraid." (vs.50) He says this before he climbs into the boat. Trust must come in the storm, not when the storm is past. In fact trusting in the calm will do nothing for us other than prepare us for the next storm. It is in the tumult that we need to hear the calm assurance of his voice; but it is ultimately his involvement with us that brings about the calm. A popular children's song puts it best; with Jesus in the boat we can smile at the storm.

It is in verse 52 that we find that the Lord allowed this storm because the lessons from the fish and the loaves had not been learnt. "Their hearts were hardened." All storms are sent to help us better learn the lessons of God. They are sent to teach us complete trust. I hope these lessons from the storms will help you next time you find yourself straining at the oars. The Lord will take care of you.

There is no panic in trust. -Bertha Munro

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