HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE
by Rev. Marge Taylor, Parish Nurse

 Mark 4: 35-41  On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36  And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was.  Other boats were with him.  37  A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38  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?  39  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.  40  He said to them, “Why are you afraid?  Have you still no faith?”  41  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?”

 Storms come and go, sometimes turning things upside down and inside out. A fierce storm came upon Jesus and the Disciples.  On the Sea of Galilee, storms are not unusual.  It is small, only 13 miles long and 7 miles wide, but 150 feet deep. Because of its bowl shape, with mountains all around it, cold winds can come down. Sweep across the lake, creating a sudden storm, with no warning.  

Jesus and the Disciples had not foolishly set out to sail through a storm, but they were caught unaware. Other boats had set sail at the same time. Several of the Disciples were experienced fishermen, with extensive knowledge of the sea.  It must have been a fearful storm to frighten them.

We have many storms in our lives. They can range from health problems, to financial burdens, to troublesome relationships. When things are going well in our lives, we are strong, When things go wrong, we can panic. Like the Disciples, we wonder if Jesus really cares.  We are frightened and do not understand what is happening to us.. Is Jesus aware of the suffering of his people?  Like the Psalmist, we cry out also, “Stretch out your hand from on high; Set me free and rescue me from the mighty waters.”(Ps.144: 7). 

When we experience storms, it does not mean God does not care or that God is angry with us. We are not being punished for something we did, for God is a just God. Sometimes the storms we experience come from our own actions. Most of the time, storms just happen.  We live in a fallen world that went from perfect at Creation to sinful with the fall of Adam and Eve. Our greatest comfort is that Jesus is always with us. 

The Disciples though, had a small problem with Jesus; He was asleep. How could he sleep when they were in danger of drowning?   In the midst of our struggles, it can seem as if our Lord is sleeping through our crisis. Where are you Jesus, when we need you?

When Jesus wakes up, he calms the storm. Then he asks the Disciples why they were so afraid?  It seems like a foolish question. With 20 foot waves spilling into their small boat,

The wind howling around them; water pouring into their boat.  Come on Jesus, give them a break!!  

The only experience I have ever had at sea, was when we went on an Inland Cruise to Alaska.  We were on a large cruise ship and did not feel much motion. It was not until we left the calm waters, and went out into the open sea. Then the fun began. We had been dancing when suddenly we were all over the dance floor. This had nothing to do with our dancing talent, or fancy footwork.  The ship had begun to rock back and forth.  We made a quick decision to return to our room. That proved to be a challenge in itself. Walking down the hallway was an exercise in weaving and zigzagging.  We went from one wall to the other.  It was impossible to walk in a straight line.  We finally made it to our room.  The next morning, we found the dining room almost empty.  There were only a half dozen lucky ones, still able to eat.  Oh those poor absent people. Waves could be seen crashing against the portholes. The crew called the sea “a little choppy.” Sympathy for the Disciples comes easily.

The Disciples lived with Jesus, saw his miracles and still doubted. Are we so different form the Disciples?  We know the end of the Gospel story, yet in storms our faith can also be weak. At times we are not sure who Jesus is, and what he can do.  Like the Disciples, we can be full of doubt, in spite of our knowledge.  

Even after Jesus calmed the storm, the Disciples were fearful.  They were still afraid, for they had seen Jesus’ authority over nature. They realized they were in the presence of someone who was more powerful than any human being. They remembered from Scripture, that “it was a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb. 10:31).

Fear and faith are antagonists to each other.  If we have fear, our faith is weak.  It is so difficult not to have fear, when our world seems to be out of control.  We hope Jesus will calm the storm, but when will He act?  Has he calmed storms for us in the past? Has he been with us and upheld us? When we learn to trust, our faith grows stronger.

What is faith anyway?  We talk about it religiously. We know it involves hope, trust and belief.   The Bible Dictionary says “that faith is trust in the Bible and reliance on God, who is trustworthy” (Harper Collins Bible Dictionary). We still have questions and struggle with doubt.  Augustine, one of the early Church Fathers said, “God does not expect us to submit our faith to him without reason, but the very limits of our reason make faith a necessity.” “Faith begins where humankind’s power ends” George Muller

In the O.T., God, and God’s faithfulness to his people, is the center of faith. The emphasis is on the covenant relationship between God and the chosen people.  Obedience to God’s commands and trusting in God’s word and promises is primary. There is no question about the existence of God.  In the prophets, the covenant relationship is intensified for God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Obeying God brought security, and blessings. Turning away from God and God’s word, brought calamity.     

In the N.T., faith became more individual. The Incarnation, God in human form, had come to earth.  Jesus came, performing healings and exorcisms to one person, at a time. The blind saw, the lame leaped, and the deaf heard. This change is revealed in Mark’s Gospel.  “Faith in God, and faith in Jesus as the manifestation of God’s power”, was the basis of people’s faith. (Harper Collins Bible Dictionary).”

How is the gift of faith received? Faith is a precious gift, as well as a blessing. The Bible says that God is always reaching out to people. If they seek God, he will be found, for God is always present.  It is their inability to see and hear God that brings doubt and fear.  Albert Einstein said of faith, “The most beautiful and profound emotion we can experience is the sensation of the mystical.  It is the source of all true science…To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists…this knowledge, this feeling, is the center of true religion”. Brother Lawrence, a Catholic monk, said to practice the experience of God’s presence all the time.  St. Paul said, “to pray continuously”

How can we keep our faith strong?   How can we trust, when storms are blowing all around us?   In the midst of chaos, where do we turn?   Trust in the Savior who took our place and died for our sins. Who “promised to be with us always, to the end of the age.”, (Mt. 28:20)  "Who promised we would be with him in paradise.” (Lk.23:43)  Believe in the God who said “we are his people, and he is our God.” (Zech .8:8)  “Who has loved us with an everlasting love,”(Jer.31:3) And “knew us before we were formed in the womb.” (Jer.1:5).

We must cherish our faith and treasure it, for it is a priceless gift.  We must do all in our power to help it grow.  It must be nourished and protected like a tender plant.  Shield it from doubt.  Guard it from cynicism and hard heartedness.  For when we are being tossed around by the storms of life, and hanging on for dear life, it is to the Lord we call for help.  Hold on to Him, and do not let Him go.  For in the end, faith is all we have.