For one week each summer, we vacation at a lake. We love the beauty of the water and the mountains. It’s a week of relaxation, laughter and the company of one another.
But I am the one who, while I enjoy the water, also fear the water. So I send out one family member to scope out the depths, to know where the rocks are, and if it is safe to jump off the dock.
I am also the one you will find swimming with a life jacket because, yes (!) I have a fear of the water.
Each year, we long for one good storm, while we are on vacation. Of course, we want it to come late in the day and to be short lived.
But it brings a wonder as we see the rough waters when the lake takes on the appearance of a sea with its rough swells. The lightening brings a display of power as the thunder claps loudly over the lake and mountains. And then it usually happens – the jaw dropping beauty and majesty as the rainbow spreads itself in vivid colors from one end of the lake to the other.
This brought to mind another storm …
“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.” (Luke 8:22, NIV)
No problem here. Everyone, including Jesus, is in the boat and have set sail.
“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.” (verse 23)
A storm came on them as they sailed, and the disciples were overcome with fear as they sensed the danger.
The disciples wake Jesus up, He rebukes the wind and waves, and the storm subsides. All is well, and they get safely to the other side (verse 26).
In reading this account many times, I tend to focus on the lack of faith in the disciples. Often I hone in on the power of Jesus in His authority over the wind and waves.
But recently I was drawn to a different aspect of this familiar story – Jesus initiated this boat ride. He invited the disciples to go with Him into the boat to sail to the other side of the lake.
Jesus was with them before the storm arose.
He was with them during the storm,
and He was with them after the storm.
And so it is with each one of us – He never leaves us. He is with us in each difficulty, each challenge, each storm.
The lyrics to a song came to mind:
“For You are who You are No matter where I am.”
No matter where you find yourself today, hold onto this promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV).
When two of my blogging friends team up, it is a beautiful double dose of encouragement for the soul. Be sure to read “Does the Way you Live Line Up With What You Say You Believe?” HERE. Thank you to both Michele Morin and Donna Bucher.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Guillaume Baudusseau on Unsplash
What a sweet and blessed thought – that God us with us before, during, and after storms.
The account is a familiar one. We often read it and focus on the disciples’ fear, Jesus being asleep, or His authority over the wind and waves. In reading last week, it hit me the one constant was that Jesus was always with them. He had never left them and He won’t leave us alone in the midst of life’s storms either.
“Jesus was with them before the storm arose.
He was with them during the storm,
and He was with them after the storm.” Beautiful!! Thank you, Joanne.
Wow, Joanne … I’ve never thought about the fact that Jesus was the one who originated the boat ride. This brings me a lot of comfort as I think about what I know is coming in my life, as well as situations that are full of question marks. I may not know about the storms that lie ahead, but God does and He will be with me through every one. Hugs, friend.
Lois, I can’t even explain how deeply that thought hit me when I read this account last week. Jesus initiated the boat ride, knowing what was going to occur. He knew there were lessons for the disciples to learn and us too! Your comment brought this song to mind, which I now have playing in the background. The Lord will surely be with you in and through every storm!
https://youtu.be/kZissYDzLWo
I was so grateful for Donna’s invitation! Love collaboration in this blogging life!
And your lake story transported me back to Lake Winnepesaukee last fall when the waves were coming in like ocean waves. Majestic!
Before, during, and after. That right there is something to hang on to. (Also, I’ll be headed to the lake with my husband’s family next week. I’ll be the one with the lifejacket in the boat, as well. They call them accidents for a reason and *somebody* has to be prepared. Water is scary!)
Beautiful in words and analogy. I understand the fear of water. It is a fear of mine as well. I had a couple of bad experiences earlier in my life and have never learned to swim or was courageous enough to do that. Mountains with lakes are our favorite places to vacation.💕
What a great observation, Joanne! God is with us no matter where we are or what is happening – before, during, and after! Amen and what a comfort. Blessings to you!
A beautiful reminder, Joanne, that God is always with us! Our associate pastor shared this past weekend of his recent trip to the Middle East and how a storm came up quickly when they were out on the water. In an instant, the still waters turned to 7-foot waves that led to 14-foot drops in between the waves. He said one of the mountains’ sheer cliffs is what leads to the sudden storms. Their storms are far more severe than I had imagined.
A beautiful post Joanne, & from a new perspective too!
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Blessings, Jennifer
Joanne, I love this so much. What a beautiful story leading to Jesus to a lovely lyric all saying, Jesus is with us all the time, before the storm, during and after. Such comfort.
Joanne, I love a good storm too! Seeing God’s amazing power always brings me comfort. Great insight on the bible story, Jesus is indeed with us before, during and after!
Amen. He never leaves. I’m thankful for His presence. 🙂