Is Jesus asleep in your boat?

There is no escaping the reality that our life encounters storms. We can see some of them coming from a long distance. There are many that seem to arrive suddenly. The waves seem to crash all around us and our lives seem to be sinking. It is difficult to see Jesus, to feel His presence, to rest in His arms, and to have peace from the Prince of Peace when we cannot see past the rain and clouds. It is during these times which we must hold onto the truth that Jesus may seem asleep but he is not unaware.

“One that day, as evening drew on, he (Jesus) said to them, ‘Let us cross to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ The wind ceased and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, ‘Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?’ They were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?’” (Mark 4:35-41)

Our broken relationships, prodigal children, lost loved ones, unemployment, financial hardships, and the stress of daily life may seem to be drowning you. Take heart, you are not in the boat alone. The same Jesus that walked with the disciples, talked with them, fed the followers with simple fish and bread, and slept in their boat during a storm is the same Jesus that still calms the storms in our life.

It appears the disciples waited a little while before approaching Jesus. The waves were spilling over into the boat and the boat was starting to take on more water than it could handle. They feared it would sink. It is only after the storm seems to be getting the better of them that they come running to Jesus for help. We do the same thing. The disciples are no different from us. Many times we will wait until the storm seems to be crushing our lives and we are in danger of drowning before we come running to Jesus in prayer.

Prayer is our communication with Christ. It is through prayer that we are able to ask Jesus for help. The disciples believed Jesus did not care that they felt they would die. After all, he was sleeping. However, they told him that they didn’t think he cared. They questioned why he was not awake and helping them. Jesus, in turn, calms the storm and eases their fears before he rebukes them for their lack of faith.

You may sometimes be hesitant to complain to Jesus and tell him how you feel. It may seem like a sin to tell Jesus you think he doesn’t care or why he seems to not be present or aware of your situation. The disciples certainly had no problem approaching Jesus and giving him a bit of their mind when they felt the need. He rebukes them for a lack of faith, but notice he never condemned them for telling him how they felt. Jesus wants you to talk to him. He wants to hear your heart. He already knows what you are thinking and feeling so why not tell him?

Jesus tells us to find rest in His presence. "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Trust Jesus. He may seem asleep in the boat of your life. He is not, on the other hand, unaware of your circumstances and the storm that is raging.