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Minister Dr. Shirley G. Eloby Fleming
Mark 4: 35-41 (Good News Translation)
35 On the evening of that same day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake”. 36 So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were there too. 37 Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water. 38 Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples woke him up and said, “Teacher, don't you care that we are about to die? 39 Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, “Be quiet! And he said to the waves, be still! The wind died down, and there was a great calm.40 Then Jesus said to his disciples, why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith? 41 But they were terribly afraid and began to say to one another, who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!
Be Still!!
Beloved, most of us are familiar with this the sacred text. Jesus, our Rabbi, our teacher, has filled this story with numerous life lessons for his first and 21st century disciples. The lessons include wisdom regarding:
- The certainty of storms in our life (even when we are traveling with Jesus)
How to manage the storms of life
- The tranquility or peace of faith
- The need to rest and restoration in the storms of life, and
- The faith development power of storms
At this point in my discipleship, I’m thanking and praising Jesus for the last three lessons.
Those who are involved and committed to the ministry of Jesus Christ in the 21st century can sometimes become overwhelmed by the demands of ministry and the desire to please God. When we decide to follow Jesus as true disciples, we will be confronted by personal (doubt, fear, faith) and societal (injustices of racism, classism and sexism) storms. (Side bar, if you are not confronting storms, you may need to reintroduce yourself to Jesus and the call of disciples through prayer and deeper bible study.) This scripture reminds us that sometimes we need to follow Jesus’ example and rest in the in the midst of the storms. You may be asking yourself how. This is the wisdom that the Spirit and time have shown me.
Remember, you/we are disciples and Jesus the one who is our model for ministry, rested in the midst of the storms of the first century. Jesus, the one who participated in the creation of humanity knows that our minds, bodies and spirits need rest. Remember, Jesus can control the wind and waves of our storms. Remember, God has other disciples to do his Will. Remember that Jesus is in the storm with us, and that he promised to never leave us alone. Remember, Jesus is inviting us to “go to the other side of the lake.” We can believe that Jesus can in fact get us to the other side. Even though the facts may make it seem impossible, God’s word represents the truth. We will get to the other side. Remember that storms provide us with an opportunity to nourish our faith. Our faith can be nourished by remembering our history with God. Lastly, if we continue reading this Mark story, we will learn that after Jesus rested and was restored He was able to do a great work. He healed a man who was possessed by a legion of demons.
Prayer
Lord, teach me to survive and grow during the storms of ministry and discipleship. Let me always remember the necessity and certainty of storms. Let me always remember that storms are an opportunity and reminder of the necessity of rest, restoration, faith and humility in ministry and discipleship. Let me always remember that resting in the storm allows me to witness the power of God over the many storms in our lives.
Thought for the day
Sometimes we need to be still and let the God teach and develop us as we travel through the storms of life!
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