You Are Not Alone

Dan Lian came all the way from Australia share with us this message yesterday. It had such a big impact on me that I felt like sharing it.

Mark 4:35-41 reads:

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

We all go through difficult times in our lives. We could be facing a difficult situation, or maybe just be waiting for an answer to a prayer. Sometimes it feels like we are going at this all alone, like Jesus is sleeping. We start thinking that God is not listening, or maybe he just forgot about us. I know I've been there. Just like in the passage, we start wondering "don't you care if we drown?"

But we have to remember three things:

1) He is in your boat. Just as Jesus was there with the disciples when they thought they would die in the storm, he is with us. He said "I will never leave you nor will I forsake you." He doesn't make promises He cannot keep. Let's remember that!

2) He is in control. Jesus shows us his power and sovereignty by calming the storm that worried the disciples. He allows our troubles. He understands our troubles. He has the power to control the storm in our lives.

3)He will act. In His time, He will act. He rebuked the winds and they died down. It is through the "silence" that we will learn to trust in Him. Jesus says, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" He allows us to face the storm so that we can learn to trust in Him. I find myself scared sometimes, afraid of what may come. I ask God, why am I going through this? What's going to happen? Help! But I have to learn to trust in Him! He has it all under control! God tells us to learn to trust in Him and He will fill us with peace that passes all understanding.

So, whenever you feel alone, and you feel like in your life Jesus is asleep, just remember: He is still in your boat. The bible mentions "Fear not for I am with you" 365 times. He is with us every single day of our lives!! That's some pretty awesome reassurance. Jesus is in your boat!

Have a wonderful day =]