Storm

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Storm

Tumultuous   Disturbance

Trust   Obey   Cease

Be Still And Know

Faith

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 4:37 to 41

When Jesus was in the boat with them, a tumultuous storm came up and the waves were breaking over the boat and it was filling with water. Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat. 

The disciples woke Jesus up and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we might die?"

Jesus woke up and stopped the wind immediately and said to the sea, "Be still."

Then there was a great calm.

Jesus asked them, "Why were you so upset? Don't you have faith yet?"

The disciples were all amazed and said to one another, "Who is Jesus that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Reflection

Have you ever been caught in a sudden storm on a boat?

One beautiful summer morning, Kathy and I picked up some bagels and met our son, John, for a ride on his boat. All of a sudden, we noticed some black clouds heading our way. There was a torrential downpour and the boat started to fill with water and it got very rocky. It was a scary moment!

Fortunately, it ended quickly, and the sun returned, and we got to enjoy our bagels. Jesus takes care of the storm for His disciples in our reading from Mark. 

We are amazed at the power of Jesus. Immediately the storm stops. The disciples are wondering what type of man Jesus is. How can He have the power to do this? 

The disciples are beginning to understand that Jesus is different. They will gradually put their trust and faith in Him. 

We also face many storms in our lives. They can come up quickly. We are having a great day, and we get news that someone very close to us has become ill or is involved in a serious accident. We hear about a war starting or another shooting in a school. 

We wonder where Jesus is. Why is Jesus allowing this bad thing to happen. Is He still sleeping on that cushion?

We are challenged to place our faith in Jesus in those difficult situations. If Jesus calmed violent storms instantly, we know He can help us when we experience our own stormy times. 

Jesus loves us and He will help us in the hard times. We don't need to wake Him up. He is always there for us, and He knows what we are going through.

Be still.

God is with you.

The storms will pass.

1. What are some storms that you have faced in your life?

2. What type of man is Jesus?

3. Why was it hard for the disciples to put their trust in Jesus?

4. Why does Jesus allow bad things to happen like wars and school shootings?

5. What do you feel as you look at Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)