Rearview Mirror

By Susan Klein

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

Romans 15:4 (NIV)

Whenever I get into my car after my husband has driven it, I need to adjust the rearview mirror. He has 9 inches on me in height, so our vision fields are not quite the same. The earliest of cars were not even equipped with rearview mirrors. Thus, people could only focus on the road ahead, not behind. In her 1909 book, The Woman and the Car, British racing driver Dorothy Levitt noted that women should "carry a little hand-mirror in a convenient place when driving" so they may "hold the mirror aloft from time to time in order to see behind while driving in traffic". [1] Yikes!

We all glance at our rearview mirrors from time to time, partly out of habit, but mostly to be safe. Yet, how much time are we spending looking behind us in life? Some might gaze forlornly into the mirrors of their past, weighed down by former sin and struggles that continue to grip them. The enemy would like nothing better than to keep us backwardly focused. That way, we might not see the forgiveness and love that God so freely holds out in front of us. On the other end of the spectrum, some haphazardly race on ahead into their futures. Completely forgetting about, and not always learning from, what happened in their past.

Many times in the Old Testament, we hear God telling the Israelites to remember what He has done for them. How He has delivered them and continues to provide for them. Likewise, in the New Testament we often hear Paul, Jesus and others admonishing people to remember what happened with their forefathers - - to learn from their errors and trust God. Our personal rearview mirrors not only provide a reminder of past mistakes, but all the good God has done as well. We need not look back mournfully.

Keep in mind that there is a reason why the standard rearview mirror is only about 9 inches wide, and a standard windshield is five or six times that amount. While we are to check our small mirror periodically, the majority of our time should be focused on the big window (of what God is doing) immediately ahead of us.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Might you have a foggy mirror or a dirty windshield that needs cleaning so you can see better?

2. How can you use your personal rearview mirror to aide you in moving forward?

FURTHER READING:

Deuteronomy 32:7-9; Romans 8:1-2; Hebrews 12:1-2

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a small group.

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Levitt

He’s Aliiiiiive!!

By Jeannine Sawall

“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.’ And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.”

Matthew 28:5-6, 8 (NIV)

My family often has gone camping over Easter and we aren’t always able to find a traditional church service to celebrate Easter. One tradition we’ve developed, though, is to celebrate our own Easter service around the campfire while sharing the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection using Resurrection Eggs.

Resurrection Eggs are a dozen plastic eggs, each filled with some symbol to represent a part of the Easter story. We pass the eggs out to the kids and anyone we’ve invited to join us for our celebration, and when we come to their part of the story, we let them tell it in their own words. Years ago, as we went around the campfire circle, listening again to the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His betrayal, trial, beating by the Roman soldiers and His death on the Cross, we finally came to my youngest son who held the last egg. When he opened it, the egg was empty, representing the empty tomb. At the time, Josh was just four and so I wasn’t sure he would understand the meaning behind the empty egg, let alone how he would explain his part of the story. As he opened his egg and realized there was nothing in it, he stood up and in a loud, joyous voice began singing “He’s aliiiiiiiiiive! He’s aliiiiiiiiive! Jesus is aliiiiiiive!!” Everyone around the campfire smiled at his enthusiasm and joined his celebration.

As I remember back to that special night of celebrating Jesus’ death and resurrection, I am amazed by the conviction and passion my young son had. He got it! Jesus is not dead; He is alive! It is something to stand up and sing about! He understood, even at that tender age, what a miracle it is. He did not hesitate or try to explain it in complicated terms. He accepted it for face value and stated it simply…the tomb is empty, Jesus is alive! It makes me want to stand up and sing and let the whole world know…our Savior is not dead, He is alive today, and we serve a living God!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Does the story of Easter make you want to stand up and sing with great joy, letting the whole world know the tomb stands empty? If not, ask the Lord to fill you with His passion for His story.

FURTHER READING:
John 2:19; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 13:30

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

The Story Isn’t Over

John 19 (NLT)

“So they took Jesus away.  Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).  There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them…

 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did…

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit…

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away.  With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds^[k] of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.  Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before.  And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”

But the story isn’t over.  Praise God it doesn’t end there! While it is important to realize the magnitude of His suffering and death, we cannot stay exclusively in mourning.  What a gift and privilege that we know this isn’t the end of the story.  That, after two days, He conquered death and paved a way for a relationship between us and Himself when we are willing to accept His free gift of salvation.  This Good Friday - - and every day - - may we be people who recognize the high cost of His sacrifice and equally celebrate the gift of His resurrection! 

Greater

By Lexi Cole Ellis

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 4:4 (NIV)

A while ago, I had the opportunity to lead a workshop for our women’s retreat on the subject of comparisons. As I prepared, I dug into societal implications of comparing and how they hinder our oneness with God. What started as comparisons with physical appearance soon turned into a realization that we are drowning in comparisons in every facet and role. I just want to be prettier. I just want to be more like _________; she has it all together. I just want to be the best teacher. I wish I was a better ministry leader like _________. I long to be a better mom. ________ really is a better wife than I.   

Whether appearance or performance, these constant, detrimental comparisons often mean we are comparing ourselves to an unknown, unattainable ideal. We don’t know what “better” looks or feels like; we just know it’s not us. This results in never really accomplishing our standard of perfection.

As I struggle with rejecting self-deprecating, life-sucking comparisons in my own life, I’ve come to appreciate the comparisons in life that are  life-giving. There’s incredible hope, peace and a release of guilt that comes with surrendering our thoughts of unhealthy comparisons over to the God who knows and is greater.

Chris Tomlin’s song, “Our God,” is filled with comparisons words…the good kind. He identifies God as greater, stronger and higher than any other. Recently, as I listened to this song on the radio, singing along with the familiar chorus, I realized that it felt incomplete. For me, I felt God speaking to me, adding to the comparisons. I grabbed my phone and started using the speaking function as I spoke what His Spirit was saying:

Our God is greater… {than my circumstance.}

Our God is stronger… {than my fear.}

God, you are higher than any other…{insecurities I have.}

Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God! [1]

The single best and healthiest comparison is that God is bigger and stronger. As we go through storms and struggles, may we cling to the truth that He is higher than all…and that praising Him means working through and rejecting the unhealthy comparisons we mentally entertain. May we be children of God who actively pursue His healthy comparisons.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Spend time with the Lord. How is His Spirit adding onto the lyrics for you today?  Fill in the blanks: “Our God is greater than ________.”

2. Take time to listen to the song, “Our God” today. (Click HERE to listen to it.)

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Psalm 46:1

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

[1] http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christomlin/ourgod.html, brackets added 

Hemmed In

By Lisa Boyer

“You hem me in - - behind and before.”

Psalm 139:5a (NIV)

While praying for a friend of mine, one Bible verse kept coming to mind… “You hem me in - - behind and before.” That verse had me so convinced of God’s goodness, I was literally excited about how God was going to protect her in the midst of her situation. I just knew  that everything was going to be all right, even if it didn’t appear to be all right; God was in complete control... my friend was “hemmed in” no matter what. First chance I got, I shared the good news of that verse with her!

A few weeks later, I was pouring my heart out to this same friend about a potentially life-changing health situation I was facing. The situation threatened to overwhelm me, but my friend so sweetly reminded me that I was “hemmed in.” In the midst of my circumstances, I hadn’t thought to apply that verse to myself. But she was right…I was “hemmed in” by the same loving God who hems her in!!! And it’s not dependent on what’s happening. Just because negative circumstances come into our lives, it doesn’t mean we are no longer “hemmed in.” We are always  “hemmed in,” no matter how the situation looks from the outside; God is in complete control at all times.

I was so thankful that God had sent her to remind me, but He didn’t stop there…He illustrated it for me, as well!

I was driving home on a two-lane highway when debris began flying into my lane from under an oncoming semi. I immediately slowed down and began pulling off the road, but avoiding the flying debris was impossible. Both the car in front of me and behind me also pulled over. We all got out to inspect the damage. The car in front had a huge gouge in his now-flat front tire. The front grille of the car behind me had been split into two by flying debris. My car was...well, fine. God had hemmed me in - - behind and before...and on the sides!

The first thought that came into my head was that if God could protect me during such a minor incident, He could easily have protected me from the health situation I was facing, but He hadn’t. He chose to allow it into my life. Knowing that before this situation reached me, it had gone through my loving God’s approval process filled me with peace. He hadn’t protected me from  it, but I have no doubt that He’ll protect me during  it!

GOING DEEPER:
1. If the circumstances of life have caused you to forget that you are “hemmed in,” will you spend some time today with your loving God and let Him remind you?

FURTHER READING:
Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 34:7; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Lisa is married to Ted and they have two sons in college. Lisa serves as an event photographer at Oakwood and wherever else she is needed.  

Never Give Up!

By Susan Klein

“As she kept on praying to the Lord…”

1 Samuel 1:12a (NIV)

She wasn’t drunk! Despondent, yes, but definitely not drunk. How could she be accused of such a thing?! Had she not proven herself faithful to her husband and to her God? Had they not faithfully worshiped and made the right sacrifices year after year?

First, she’d had to endure the agony of not being able to conceive. Barrenness carried a stigma in her culture. She wanted desperately to accept God’s closing of her womb. After all, her husband loved her deeply, regardless if she conceived or not. His love, as well as God’s, was not lost on her. But when her husband’s second wife conceived and bore him a son, her anguish gained new ground. The second wife provoked her to tears with persistent mocking and ridicule over her barrenness. The emotional torment affected her body to the point of not being able to eat.

Now she finds herself back in the Temple, quietly petitioning God to do the impossible. Perhaps she uttered something along these lines…

Give me faith to trust what you say,

That you’re good and your love is great

I’m broken inside, I give you my life

And I may be weak but your Spirit’s strong in me

My flesh may fail, but my God, you never will [1]

In her intense grief, she still turns her heart to her Abba Father. She even makes a vow that if God will grant her a son, she will give him back to God in service for his whole life. Adding to her sorrow, the High Priest sees her sitting there, perceives her silent lip movements as drunkenness, and rebukes her. She pleads for understanding as she explains. He sees her sincerity (and his error) and sends her off with a blessing for God to do as she asks. She goes home. She finds peace. And her body is able to eat even before God answers.

God has heard Hannah’s every prayer, but this is the time He chooses to act. She eventually conceives, and bears her husband a son. God blesses her with even more children. She keeps her vow.

Maybe, like Hannah of the Old Testament, you’ve persistently prayed for something, waiting for God’s answer. Maybe in your own discouragement, you’ve been tempted to give up. Don’t! God desires to hear from us. In her darkest hours, Hannah never stopped fixing her eyes on the Giver of Life. And in His perfect timing, He did answer. She prayed fervently, and she prayed believing.

So must we.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Feeling like it’s futile, have you given up praying for something or someone? Might you reconsider?

FURTHER READING:

James 1:6; Matthew 7:7-8

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a small group.

[1] “Give Me Faith,” Elevation Worship, 2011

Suffering

By Peggy Kleckner

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.”

Philippians 1:29 (NIV)

And so, light pierced my darkness. One sentence of Scripture placed seemingly random in my day and I felt His hand.

I had been prattling on to Him about feeling disconnected and yet knowing that I am not.  I am unworthy of His love and yet cannot deny that He loves me, just because He chooses to. I cannot decide for Him whom He should love, even when that someone is me.

I felt like I wasn’t “doing” anything for Him. I haven’t been doing mighty deeds of ministry. I haven’t been seeking the lost, keeping an orderly house and checkbook, taking on giants or whatever else I think of as “doing” for Him. He reminded me that being with Him has been important.  I have stepped away from most things, but not my practice of meeting with Him.

I have struggled in my belief as wave after wave of personal disappointments and heartaches bombarded my faith. I have wrestled with the daily-ness of life, feeling like Solomon in Ecclesiastes, life drained of joy…work and even words feeling meaningless. But still I walked with Him, I spoke to Him of my heartaches. I argued with Him over how things looked to me. He patiently listened and still we walked. I fussed and fumed, exhausting myself as a child in a tantrum. I was seeking to understand Him, to know His ways, to climb higher to get a better view of Him.

In all of my striving, I finally was exhausted and so we rested. When I looked up, I saw that we were resting at the foot of the cross. My argument had been, truly, that I didn’t want it to be true that Jesus not only had to come, but that all of His suffering and all of His pain was necessary for me. God did not allow one moment more of pain than was necessary. My mother’s heart does not like to look at or accept that painful truth. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot be good, even with His help.

Scripture is true…on our own, nothing good lives in us. Our sinful nature must be put to death and we must take up our new life in Him. Always, He leads into truth….more of Himself.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be satisfied. We hunger and thirst for Jesus, our true and only satisfaction. Our salvation rests in Him, not in ourselves.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What deep questions are you not allowing to come to the surface?

2.  Are you willing to allow Him access to all of the rooms of your heart?

FURTHER READING:

Acts 17:28; John 15:5; Psalm 73:25-26

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

All-Consuming Fire

By Brita Crouse

[Trials] have come so that your faith - - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:7 (NIV)

I went to college in the-middle-of-nowhere Indiana, literally surrounded by cornfields. There wasn’t much available to students as far as entertainment, so most of the time, we had to make our own fun. In the springtime, one thing we always looked forward to was the annual Prairie Burn. My school owns a small, nearby prairie that is used by the Environmental Science department for research and observation. Every year, the department sets the prairie ablaze and students gather to watch the flames consume this small plot of land.

Why does the prairie have to be set on fire every year? The answer may seem a little counterintuitive: It is so re-growth can happen. There is something about fire that produces rich soil, allowing for healthy plants to grow abundantly. Fire also controls the spread of harmful or invasive plants within the prairie. Basically, fire is necessary in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and a thriving prairie.

I was listening to the song “All-Consuming Fire” by the band Jesus Culture and thought, “I am just like that blazing prairie.” I was experiencing a huge transition phase in life, and it had been a big trial. I felt as though I was sitting in the hottest part of the fire. I think we can all relate to this “prairie feeling,” though. We have all had times where we can’t see through the smoke and flames to know which way is up.

But, there is hope! Fire may consume us at times, but every time we face a trial, we are made stronger through the process. Those “invasive plants” in our lives are burned up and we are made ready to have our faith grow. Gold is put through fire to make it pure and free of any blemishes. We are put through fire for the same reason. Going through fire may be hot and uncomfortable, but the end far outweighs the means. Seasons of trial only bring us closer to God, and create a dependence on Him that could not come from any other process.

Because of fire, our faith is strengthened and refined, and that is reason enough to be grateful for those times we feel like the Prairie Burn.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How are you being refined through the fire?

2.  Listen to “All-Consuming Fire” by Jesus Culture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beWTuiQiK1E). Make this your prayer today.

FURTHER READING:

1 Peter 1:3-12; Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-4

Brita is a licensed K-12 School Counselor and works as the Non-Public Counselor in Roseville, Minnesota. For the past eighteen years, she has called Oakwood her home church.

Preppers

By Elin Henderson

“ ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God is near.

Repent and believe the good news!’ ” …

Mark 1:15 (NIV)

Have you seen the show Preppers?  It follows people who are preparing for a variety of doomsdays. Some have huge shelters built underground in which they store up food, water and supplies for months. Others are training themselves and their families in self-defense, while stocking up with enough guns and ammunition to fight off half an army!

Jesus calls us to be preppers, as well: preppers for His Kingdom. He calls us to store up treasures not on this earth, but to store up treasures for the Kingdom that is to come. He calls us to train ourselves to fight the good fight, but not for the kingdoms of this world, rather forHis  Kingdom! 

This prepper mentality is not one born out of paranoia or conspiracy theories, but out of a sense that this world is not our home. It requires a GOD-focus not a SELF-focus. It’s risky business to be a Kingdom Prepper. The costs are high and the stakes are crazy from a human perspective.  “Lose your life to gain it” (Luke 17:33).  “Be last to be first” (Mark 9:35).  “Be low and let Him lift you up” (James 4:10). These aren’t the slogans of self-preservationists. 

So…are you ready to join the ranks and be named with the crazy Kingdom Preppers of this age?! 

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1.      What are some ways that you can be part of this Kingdom Preppers movement?

2.      How can you help others around you catch the vision, as well?

                                                           

FURTHER READING:

I Corinthians 4:20; Luke 12:31; Luke 4:43

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to sixteen-year-old Callie and fourteen-year-old Elias.

What’s Your Disability?

by Becci Terrill

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
Romans 3:23 (NIV)

“What’s your disability?” the man behind the table asked. His query caught me off guard. My disability? Hmm… I’d never thought about that before.

The question haunted me. I was attending a conference to learn how to minister to people with disabilities, but had been challenged about my own disabilities instead.

The word “disability,” in simplest form, means not able to do something. We all have things we are not able to do. One disability we all share is sin. Because of sin, none are able to attain heaven on our own because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Each of us is broken.

Thankfully, God did not leave us in this state of disability! In Romans 5:8 it says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And John 3:16 says, “…whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Jesus makes us whole.

That doesn’t mean that disabilities disappear. Physical, mental and emotional difficulties are not the result of a cruel God, but rather a loving Father who has a plan and a purpose for each of us.

In John 9, Jesus is confronted with a man who was born blind and asked who had sinned to cause his disability - - the man or his parents. Jesus responds that this man was created with a disability so that God could be glorified in him.

God wants to use our brokenness for His glory!

Dr. Charles Ware said, “The cross is where disabilities and opportunities meet.”  Because we are His children, God wants to use our disabilities and brokenness to bring glory to Him. When I am discouraged because I am “not able” to do something, the Spirit gently reminds me of verses like:

·         2 Corinthians 12:10: “for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NIV)

·         Matthew 19:26: “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (NIV)

·         Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NIV)

We are God’s masterpiece.

It’s easy to dwell on my brokenness and disabilities instead of focusing on God and the work that He wants to do in and through me. Yes, I am broken and disabled, but I am also His beloved child, a masterpiece, with good works to do before He calls me home. (Ephesians 2:10)

May each of us delight in this truth!

GOING DEEPER:

1.      What’s your disability? How might God use this to glorify Him?

2.      Consider reading Joni, an autobiography by Joni Eareckson Tada. Her life with disabilities will inspire you!

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 2:10; John 9

Becci Terrill is a wife and mom to two adult daughters. She is the Children's Ministry Director at Oakwood Church. 

Listen…Plan

By Lexi Ellis

“Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.”

Proverbs 2:1 (MSG, paraphrase)

Last year, I passed it every day on my way to work: suited women sitting in fancy chairs. And on this billboard, in large letters it reads, “Before we plan, we listen.” The billboard is for an investment company. From a marketing standpoint, it employs the powerful tactic of appealing to the innate desire to be listened to. Stephen Covey, in Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, addresses this art of truly listening rather than just hearing. (1)

Despite the humanistic and marketing draw, I realized this phrase is one applicable to my relationship with God. How often have I planned and forgotten that imperative first step of listening to God? How often I stress and schedule and skip being still, or asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, or reading His Word to allow Him to speak to me.

This is hard for me. I am a planner. I loved the planning part of my wedding; I jump on a chance to plan our vacations; I think and prepare for my students’ learning each day. I thrive on the planning. And I do work on truly listening to others. Yet, it’s so hard to listen first to God, then submit to His plan.

There are countless biblical examples of the essential “listen…then plan.” Scripture is filled with men and women who chose to stop, take time to pray, and listen to God’s direction before planning. And Scripture is equally filled with those who chose to go with their own self-sufficient planning, and we’re able to learn from the havoc and consequences that resulted.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning He awakens; He awakens my ear to hear…The Lord God has opened my ear.” (2)

God has an amazing plan when we choose to listen to His way before making our own plans. God has incredible things when He has our ear to hear. God does remarkable work in our lives and advances His Kingdom when we don’t jump straight to planning without first listening.

 “Before we plan, we listen.” May that be true of us today and every day.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What parts of your life do you need to surrender, lay in front of the Lord, and listen to Him before you continue planning?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 2:1-5; Psalm 85:8-9; Matthew 6:33

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

(1) Stephen Covey’s chapter “Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then be Understood” in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. ©1989 Running Press.

(2) Isaiah 50:4-5 (ESV) 

Who Is This?

By Peggy Kleckner

“Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?’ ”

Mark 4:38 (NLT)

Perhaps you are unfamiliar with this story. Jesus told His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” Plainly, the trip in the boat was His idea. The Scriptures note this, “But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.” Yet the disciples had to wake Jesus who was at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion asleep!

Jesus was not panic-stricken; in fact, He seemed to them unaware of their peril. They don’t call Him by name, they call Him “Teacher.” Clearly this is a name of respect, not familiarity. They have already been fighting the storm on their own, so much so that the boat has begun to take on water.

Students don’t always like to ask questions. I wonder if these students had all been looking at Jesus waiting for Him to get up and do something. Was it perhaps that they felt confident in boat-handling and thought He only knew how to preach? They didn’t ask Him to do anything, they asked Him what each of us seems to wonder at times…doesn’t He care that we are in a difficult situation that certainly looks like it will overcome us?

Have you been there? Are you there now? Are you too wondering if Jesus really cares at all?

These disciples are no different than we are. In the middle of a storm, in a boat, taking on water they are demanding an answer to their heart’s question: Does Jesus care?

What was Jesus’ reply? “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” His response was action and then these words, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They knew Him as “Teacher.” This displayed Jesus as much more, and they were left to ask, “Who is this?” They thought they knew Him, but this didn’t fit their picture and they didn’t know what to do with this revelation. Jesus is much more than a man. He had not called out to God. He had commanded the wind and the waves and they had obeyed.

In our own faith walk we will also come into situations that push us to broaden our view of Jesus. He is always so much more.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Who is this Jesus to you?

2.  Are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?

FURTHER READING:

John 1:29; John 4:25-26; John 21:12

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.