Napping During the Storm
June 8, 2015
“Peace! Be still.” – Mark 4:35-41
I remember my second grade Sunday school teacher telling us, “When you hear thunder and see lightning, God is angry with someone. So you had better watch out!” I took what she said to heart and every time there was a thunderstorm, I would hide, because I knew God was angry at me. I’m not that way anymore, although I imagine there are still times God gets angry or frustrated with me. Now I find I enjoy taking naps during thunder storms. I think how safe and cozy I am in my house, and I feel very secure and comfortable. I just doze off while the storm rages outside. I sometimes think about how Jesus napped while a storm raged about Him. He was with His disciples on the Sea of Galilee when a storm came up that frightened His seasoned fishermen disciples. While they were panicking and thinking they were going to drown, Jesus was fast asleep in the boat. How did He sleep with all the rocking and the wind and the rain? I imagine He felt safe and secure in His Father’s arms knowing that God had a plan and a purpose for His life that did not include drowning. We remember how Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith and then stood up in the front of the boat and commanded the sea to be still. And it was! So how about you and me? Can we be calm and nap during the storms of life? May we hear Jesus say, “Peace! Be still.”
I remember my second grade Sunday school teacher telling us, “When you hear thunder and see lightning, God is angry with someone. So you had better watch out!” I took what she said to heart and every time there was a thunderstorm, I would hide, because I knew God was angry at me. I’m not that way anymore, although I imagine there are still times God gets angry or frustrated with me. Now I find I enjoy taking naps during thunder storms. I think how safe and cozy I am in my house, and I feel very secure and comfortable. I just doze off while the storm rages outside. I sometimes think about how Jesus napped while a storm raged about Him. He was with His disciples on the Sea of Galilee when a storm came up that frightened His seasoned fishermen disciples. While they were panicking and thinking they were going to drown, Jesus was fast asleep in the boat. How did He sleep with all the rocking and the wind and the rain? I imagine He felt safe and secure in His Father’s arms knowing that God had a plan and a purpose for His life that did not include drowning. We remember how Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith and then stood up in the front of the boat and commanded the sea to be still. And it was! So how about you and me? Can we be calm and nap during the storms of life? May we hear Jesus say, “Peace! Be still.”
– Dr. Neil Epler