—by Lois Lang

Mark 4:37-41...And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.  And He Himself [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  And being aroused, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.”  And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.  And He said to them, “Why are you so timid?  How is it that you have no faith?”  And they became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Please forgive me, all of you in the field of dentistry.  I fear (to the point of a phobia) going to see the dentist.  I go only when pain or problem drives me to submit myself to this unpleasant experience.  I am more afraid of the dentist than I am of the pain in my jaw.  On top of the discomfort, you have to pay for the privilege!  Don’t write to me--I do go when I have to, sweat pouring and blood pressure elevated.  God bless the person who came up with sedation dentistry.  Knock me out, fix me, then wake me up.

The disciples were a little like me.  Notice that they were “timid” about the storm, enough so that they woke Jesus.  But after He calmed the storm, they were “very much afraid” of this amazing person who controlled the wind and sea.  They were more afraid of this Jesus than they had been of the storm!

After all that this crew had been through together, and after months and years of watching and listening to this unique Man, the disciples still didn’t grasp fully who He was.  With each new miracle He performed, they became more awe-struck, and often fearful of such power.  So don’t feel less “spiritual” if you don’t always understand what God is doing in your life.  His closest followers didn’t even get it sometimes.

Hang in there!  Marvel at His wonders, trust in His power, and lean on His strength.  Oh, and brush twice daily, and floss only the teeth you want to keep. J

Father, You are an amazing, awesome, powerful God.  Help us to marvel at Your works, not fear them.  When our faith is weak, please step in with Yours.  Please calm our storms and ease our fears.  We thank You from the bottom of our timid hearts.  We pray in the Name of Jesus, the Proven Storm-Calmer.  Amen.