The Perfect Storm

I was reading through Matthew 8 this morning and came to the story of Jesus and his disciples crossing the lake.  Jesus had healed many who were sick and we see the faith of the Centurion soldier just a little earlier who asked Jesus just to "speak the words" and his servant would be healed because he was not deserving to have Jesus come to his house. Jesus actually says "I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith." But that's not the story I want to write about, it's while they are in the boat that intrigues me.

Matthew 8:23-27

"Then they got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came upon the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him?"

Here's what amazes me about this situation.  I've been on a lake, in a boat, when a massive thunderstorm suddenly appeared!  I was freaking out!  The winds and waves were crazy but the lighting sent me into a panic.  We were a couple miles from the truck and knew we had to attempt making it back.  That was the roughest, scariest, most painful boat ride I've ever taken!  Looking back it seems funny because we survived but during the moment it wasn't funny at all! So I can sympathize with the disciples, that's not what amazes me it's Jesus reaction that is worth pondering. The comment is "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" I think I would have been, "hello, Jesus we are in a STORM! Isn't it obvious!?" But Jesus rebukes the waves and the winds and it becomes completely calm. He wasn't scared or afraid because of His faith in knowing that storms aren't the biggest things or things to fear.

"Fear and faith can not co-exist." I've heard Johnna Parr say this numerous times and it's always made sense, but really hit me this morning while reading this passage in Matthew.  What are the storms in our lives that we allow fear to control us instead of faith? It was obvious that the Centurion's servant was very sick and must have meant something to the Centurion for him to come to Jesus for healing. The Centurion didn't need Jesus to come to his house to heal the servant but just speak the words, he had no fear that Jesus had the power to heal. Fear can be paralyzing. Fear can keep us from our greatest victories and successes and also cause our greatest defeats. But where faith exists, fear cannot. Do you have faith?  Faith in yourself, your product/service, God, your kids, your spouse, friends? If so then nothing can stop you from rebuking the winds and the waves and allowing God to do mighty things through you. God doesn't call us to a life of fear in the storms but a life of faith that they too will pass and on the other side is calm water. God bless and remember, today's outcome depends on you.