Christ calms life's storms

One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, 'Master, Master, we're going to drown!' He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 'Where is your faith?' He asked His disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, 'Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.'" (Luke 8:22-25)

There are a number of interesting things in this account - the most common point of focus is usually the power that Jesus demonstrated over the storm. Think of it, Jesus "rebuked the wind and the raging waters" and there was an immediate response. The wind stopped and the waters were calmed! Amazing!

Consider also Jesus' disciples. It was common to travel by boat across the Sea of Galilee, but this trip they ran into a storm. The weather conditions on Galilee are very similar to those on Pyramid Lake, just north of Reno. The winds can come up quickly and make a very dangerous situation for boaters. That's exactly what happened and they feared for their lives (this must have been quite a storm because some of these guys were fishermen who were very familiar with being on the lake.)

I'm not critical of His disciples' reactions. The circumstances and storms of life can cause fear to displace faith. But remember this, storms will come when we are going where the Lord has directed us to go, and we don't have to fear when they do, Jesus is present. Have faith.

• Louie Locke is a pastor at Fountainhead Foursquare Church and a member of the Carson City Christian Ministerial Association.