Turbulence

Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Matthew 8: 23-27

Experiencing turbulence.

If you’ve ever been on a plane you’ve probably experienced turbulence. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, “Turbulence is air movement that normally cannot be seen and often occurs unexpectedly. It can be created by many different conditions, including atmospheric pressure, jet streams, air around mountains, cold or warm weather fronts or thunderstorms. Turbulence can even occur when the sky appears to be clear.” Whenever I’m on an airplane and I experience turbulence, I freak out a little, yes airplanes still scare me, and I start praying asking God to protect the plane as much as possible. You know that feeling when you don’t know what God is doing, but things take an unexpected turn and you’re just holding on for dear life? Well this reminds me of when Jesus was on the boat with the disciples. In the New Testament the story goes that Jesus was sleeping and the disciples woke him up saying “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up he says “You of little faith, why are you so afraid? Then he got up rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” I imagine Jesus must have been annoyed with the disciples that they didn’t trust him. I imagine Jesus must have experienced a level of frustration along with his compassion for our human level of fear and lack of faith. Just as we’re on a plane, on a boat, or in life, and an unexpected tumultuous moment comes our way, we too naturally get afraid. We start holding on to dear life asking God, “Hello? Jesus? Wake up? Can’t you see us? Can’t you hear us?” I know I have. Still, a thousand years to us is only a day for the Lord. So as we’re living out these moments of turbulence, we must realize that one.. the focus is truly on that gift of eternal life, but two… we also have the gift of knowing that God has our back through those pockets of air that we experience. I hope you are encouraged and blessed, stay focused and keep your faith strong.

Have a blessed week. ❤️