Mark Photos - 4:35-41 - Still

Jesus Stills a Storm 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?”

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I love the sight of still water, especially early in the morning. I love still water with a bit of wispy fog rising up early in the morning. I didn't get a chance today for the wispy fog or the early morning, but I did get this still water...I think of the storms of life and the times that the waves seem to still. I have gone through several periods of that in my life and I am thankful to be feeling like I am personally in one of the "stiller" times of my life. I am thankful for this for myself personally, but also because it enables me to be able to be more present for those going through the stormy waters themselves. I love the way Jesus is in this passage - there's not a care in the world that he feels it seems even as the boat is seeming to be swamped. There's a message he gives of trust that he will not leave us or forsake us. The storms will come in our lives. Its not an if, but a when. Its not a whether, but a will. Yet, Jesus is there in the boat with us and is there to still the storm. My prayer tonight is for those who feel wrapped in the storms of life - may you feel the still-ing presence of Christ today and in the days to come.