We’re going to talk about sailing and how it can be a great analogy to our lives. The winds play a major role in sailing, and using winds to your advantage can sometimes make you sail faster, provided you can keep the boat afloat. Sometimes the winds and waves can throw you off plan and land you in crises, which is what happens to us in life sometimes.
But what is defined as a storm? The literal meaning of “storm” is
- A violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow.
- move angrily or forcefully in a specified direction.
Storms are very destructive, and nothing can withstand the fury of their nature. Many strong and mighty ships have been blown apart and drowned.We are at sea in the journey of life. Storms are inevitable.
Can we escape storms? NO is the answer. Can we navigate through them? MAYBE. Is Jesus with us? YES
Let’s look at the disciples’ story of their boat.
MATT 8:23
MK 4:35
Context and background
Jesus had been teaching around the Sea of Galilee, most likely near Capernaum. But now He is exhausted. His teaching and healing ministry often leaves Him without time to eat (Mark 3:20) or sleep (Mark 1:32–39). He decides, after a time, to go to the other side of the lake to continue His ministry.
V37 talks about them encountering the storm.
If the disciples who fished for a living thought they were bound to perish in the storm, we should trust their judgment that the storm was pretty bad.
- The boat they were in was about to be swamped. According to other translations, “the waves broke over the boat; the waves poured into the boat.”
- The disciples saw 2 possibilities.
- Either the fierce waves would have sunk the boat due to water in the boat.
- Either the fierce waves would have broken the boat due to its force.
Now I’ve got the opportunity to finish my sailing classes, and one of the classes was a capsizing class. We eventually capsized three times, and the first time we were not even prepared. The winds and waves just threw our boat at an angle. For a second, I was scared because Joanna was with me. Rather, I was scared because I was with her. She’s a pretty good swimmer. I would call my swimming skills “work in progress.” Just like our lives, right? Now a bad example of a captain is jumping off first from the boat to save his life, and guess who was El Capitan on the day. Low and behold, it was Cap. John. This happened to be a totally unplanned capsize experience. Thankfully, we had to have lifejackets.
But I can kind of sense the fear they had because of such an experience.
With such concern, they saw Jesus. They probably gave him an attitude and said, “Do you not care if we drown?”
And He wakes up and silences the waves.
TAKEAWAY POINTS
- Do not take Jesus’ silence for Jesus’ absence.
He is with you even when you don’t see it or when you don’t feel it.
His presence goes before you, behind you, beside you, all around you, within you. He is with you.
- KNOW WHO YOU SERVE.
As the song lyrics go, He’s a waymaker, miracle worker, promise keeper, and light in the darkness. He will not allow you to go down with him in your boat.
ILLUSTRATION
The very center of a hurricane is called the “eye.” In the eye of a storm, the winds are calm, and it can feel like a peaceful, sunny day.
In strong tropical cyclones, the eye is characterized by light winds and clear skies, surrounded on all sides by a towering, symmetric eyewall.
Even though you are surrounded, it doesn’t mean you’re subdued.
- KNOW WHO YOU ARE
The moment they called out to him, He was right there. He dealt with the situation, and then He dealt with the disciples’ lack of faith.
- Although Jesus performs an entirely astonishing act, demonstrating his supernatural power, all it inspires in his followers is confusion and terror. V41
Does it amaze you that Jesus has done miracles or even that He is capable of doing so?
The disciples’ surprised and amazed response showed that they couldn’t believe Jesus could subdue and make the sea as calm as glass.
Who is this, they asked? Their disbelief made them question who Jesus was.
Is it possible, like the disciples, that even though they walked and talked and sat and ate with Jesus, you have not recognized not only WHAT He can do but also WHO Jesus is?
CONCLUSION
BE SURE OF WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE CAN DO.
- WHERE HE HAS PLACED YOU IS PART OF THE PLAN BECAUSE HE IS ONE WHO HAS INITIATED THE JOURNEY TO GO TO THE OTHER SIDE.
- STORMS WILL COME, BUT JESUS IS GREATER THAN YOUR STORMS.
- GOD CONTROLS/SILENCES YOUR STORMS, AND IT DOES NOT CONTROL OR SILENCE YOU.
- JESUS’ ONE WORD IS ENOUGH.
- EVEN THOUGH WHAT IS HAPPENING TO YOU, GOD IS WORKING SOMETHING IN YOU.
Stay encouraged, stay blessed.
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