In Mark’s fourth chapter, we first encounter about the disciples in a boat, and a sudden storm. In fear they cry out to a sleeping Jesus. Jesus rouses from His nap in the stern, calms the storm, and questioned their fear. After all, wasn’t He right there with them?

Monday morning I was reading Psalm 107 and I got to those great verses 23-32:

23 Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the mighty waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
His wondrous works in the deep.
25 For He commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their calamity;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunkards,
and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out from their distress;
29 He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad because they had quiet,
and He brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for His wonderful works to humankind.
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

What we have to remember is that the boat was an early symbol for the Church. Storms hit....still. Read any religious periodical, or look over any selection of religious books. Controversies, problems....storms.

When these storms hit today, we have to remember two things: we’re all in the same boat, and Jesus’ presence is with us. It’s an awareness to have and a presence to seek.

- Jim