4:35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 4:36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 4:37 And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 4:38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" 4:39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 4:40 He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" 4:41 And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?"
This is a"ah-ha" moment! I had several of them in my life. He was right there physically with them in that storm......asleep. Yet, their faith seemed weak. In my moments, I could not see Him physically, but He was right there with me.....these were my blind faith moments. These were life changing moments in my life also because I stepped out in blind faith and God acted. I did not understand, I did not know what would happen, but I trusted the One who challenged me to step out. The results were never negative, always positive. But, it wasn't easy letting go of the fear, letting go of the control, letting go of me. He can still the winds of your turmoil, He can calm the seas of your dispair, He can change your faith, if only you allow.
Put simply, faith is believing in something you haven't seen. If you're a Christian, that means believing that what God has said is true and then acting in accordance with that conviction, regardless of what everyone else believes and how the world expects you to act. It means you'll probably act in ways that defy reason.It may mean giving up your ambition, and it may cost you your comfort. It may even cost you your life.~ John MacAuthur
Faith is not an instinct. It certainly is not a feeling – feelings don’t help much when you’re in the lions’ den or hanging on a wooden Cross. Faith is not inferred from the happy way things work. It is an act of will, a choice, based on the unbreakable Word of a God who cannot lie, and who showed us what love and obedience and sacrifice mean, in the person of Jesus Christ.~ Elisabeth Elliot
If my car was inoperative and I went to the mechanic for help, I would have to hand over the keys. That is my action of trust in the mechanic. It is fides vive –living faith. Without doing that, all my talk about the competency of the mechanic results in nothing. And so, without our giving the keys of life over to Christ, we have never really trusted. This is Bible belief simply stated. ~Jim Elliff
racun: thanks for stopping by.......yes, that was a great word picture....especially for ppl like me that needs comparisons to understand some things :)
The example of Jesus resting in God's protection should have been a clue for everyone on the boat....but I gotta say, I'd be right there with 'em wondering why Jesus didn't seem to notice what was going on. :) I would hope, though, after the first time of seeing Him calm the storm, I'd be less likely to wig out. LOL!
I remember our pastor teaching about Jesus sleeping on the boat & then the story where Jesus walked on the water. He reminded us, "You're in the same boat, on the same body of water, with the same kind of storm coming up -- but didn't Jesus say that we'd get to the other side?" I have to remind myself of that every now & then. Been there, done that, we'll be okay.
Babe, you always have a way of putting things in the right perspective! We all need to turn the keys of our lives over to Him who knows what is best for us.
We excercise faith every day did you know that? When we drive we trust the other driver will stay on his side of the road. When we turn the key we expect the car to start. When we step on the brakes we expect it to stop. When we pay the cashier we expect them to give the right change back. When we do direct deposit we trust that the company and the bankw will get it together. We could go on and on..but faith is the substance of things hoped for....why do we trust everyone and everything else even our selves but can't trust God who never fails? Curious isn't it? Great post! Love Jeremy Camp too!
Bro Todd: Amen, it is curious that we trust what fails......and find it hard to trust the one who has numbered our days, who makes our heart beat, who orders each breath we take!
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