IN THE STORM Mark 4:35-41

I was all alone in the house with my thoughts last Wednesday, sitting behind my desk remembering about our son Philip. You see, last Wednesday, March 11, was his birthday. He would have been 42 years old were it not for the untimely drowning accident that took him away from us on March 27, 2004, just sixteen days after his 20th birthday. He was a Sophomore at the George Washington University working toward an MBA/Finance degree.

In that vulnerable moment, like many of us Christians, I must confess, that my doubtful heart was struggling against the truth that lives in my head. I know that God is good. I know that God is able. I know that God loves me, that He loves my family, my wife and our children. So, why did this terrible thing happen? Why such a promising young man, smart, respectful, humble, a young man not shy to share with the less fortunate whatever it is that he has, even his knowledge, had to be taken away from us in such a way?

As I pondered this tempest that his passing was, I remembered another storm, a fierce one some 2000 years ago on the Sea of Galilee which is described in the scripture above. I realized that it is not just about a storm, but really about a journey of trust. Jesus’ presence with the disciples did not prevent the storm from engulfing them. So, it is not surprising that they would be frightened to the point of questioning whether or not Jesus cared, just as in fact I was doing. “Master,” they asked “Don’t you care if we drown?”

You see, storms may cause us to question God’s care for us. We pray for healing, protection, and restoration – for the storm to pass. One of my favorites Psalms is Psalm 57, and verse 1 is my choice verse: “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me for in you my soul takes refuge. I WILL TAKE REFUGE IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS UNTIL THE DISASTER HAS PASSED.”

It is not wrong to pray that way. But, we must learn to value God’s presence in our trials more than we value respite from them. Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee but, sometimes for whatever reason only known to Him in His Omniscience, God does not calm certain storms in our lives, but He guides us through them. When doubt arises, we can remember that Jesus is with us in the storms of our lives.

Let us pray.  Dear God, we praise you; all glory and honor are yours. We thank you for your faithfulness. We thank you for being true to your promise never to leave us or forsake us. Help us to trust you especially during the storms of our lives. Help us to remember that you are always with us, no matter what storm we face. In the matchless name of Jesus we pray. Amen and Amen.

Written by Rev. Franck Aguilh