Don't Rock The Boat

Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”
Matthew 8:24-27 

A number of years ago, a friend of mine told me that he and his brother had gone fishing.  They were having a good day and they found their way into a cove where there were some trees that were over the water.  Not thinking of anything other than some shade, they paddled to a spot in the shade to fish.  Just as my friend caught a fish, they heard a thunk in the boat between them. They both turned to find that a Cottonmouth Moccasin had dropped in to investigate their activities.  Needless to say, they rocked the boat as they made their escape.  However, in their rush to exit the boat, the boat swamped and sank leaving the snake to swim away unperturbed.

The Disciples had a vaguely similar situation.  Jesus and the Disciples were in a boat when a storm came up and threatened to swamp their boat, and since not too many sailors of that time could swim, there were looking at the very real possibility of drowning.  They worried and panicked, and they found Jesus asleep!  Now this was not a nice cabin cruiser with navigational equipment and comfy cabins.  This was a fishing boat which was more like an extra large john boat.  I can tell you from experience, a john boat is NOT a comfy place to sleep.  But Jesus found it comfortable enough to take a nap during a storm.

The Disciples woke Jesus up, incredulous that He could POSSIBLY be sleeping at a time like this, and asked Jesus if He even cared that they would drown.  We do that too, don't we?  We panick and stress over things that are out of our control and then we complain to God asking if He doesn't realize how much our situation could harm us.  I am guilty of that!  

What was Jesus' response?  Somehow I can see Jesus giving the Disciples one of those eyerolls and saying, 'Why are you so bothered by this?'  Then Jesus tells the storm to go away...and it disappears, much to the amazement of the Disciples.  Let me ask you the same thing Jesus has asked me: "Why are you so bothered, stressed and panicked about this?  Don't you understand that I am in control?  Don't you know that there is nothing that will happen to you that surprises Me?"  I can't speak for you, but my faith still needs to grow!