Difficult Seasons

Difficult seasons. We've all been there a time or two. But there are some things anyone who has experienced adversity knows:

1. If we keep our focus on Christ, we always emerge a little better for it once we reach the other side.

2. Even though we know #1 to be true, it doesn't always stop us from whining about it.

3. We will regret all the whining we've done when we realize how valuable it would have been to simply embrace the journey and allow it to make us better.

In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus had been preaching all day. Evening had come, and He was looking to retire from the crowds, and rest. He and His disciples climbed into a few boats and headed across the sea. Exhausted and comfortable in the company of His closest friends, Jesus was rocked to sleep by the rhythm of the waves. But a storm arose; His disciples panicked and awakened Him, accusing Him of being apathetic to their battle for survival.

First of all -- and when I speak of the disciples I speak to my own tendencies to act as they did -- if that boat was going down, they were all going down, Jesus included. He was asleep in the boat; had the storm toppled their vessel, He would have been caught completely off guard. On the list of "Suspects Most Likely to Perish", He would have made the top five. To accuse Jesus of being indifferent, even heartless was absurd. The things we do for the kingdom -- worship, tithes, petition for others, ministries -- all bear the name of Jesus Christ. Were He to "sink this ship", we would go down as fools, but He as a liar and scoundrel. His name would be first to perish. To accuse Jesus of anything less than truth and honor is ludicrous.

Secondly, these were seasoned fishermen. How many storms had crept up on them in their days and nights fishing on the same waters? What would these fishermen have done had Jesus not been on board? Who would they have challenged? Who would they have blamed? And isn't that what we do when we're caught in difficult situations we'd rather not endure? "Jesus, don't You care?" 

When Jesus had calmed the sea, these men were struck with fear and awe. "Even the torrent and gale are silent at His command!" They had learned something and, I'm sure, one day were ashamed of their unfounded accusation. This Man who directed the forces of nature had not only their best interests in mind, but a few years later paid for them with His very life. They witnessed a powerful and piercing testimony of His care for them; but what value could have been added to the experience had they simply trusted what Jesus would do for them rather than whining about what He had failed to do? How much differently would their recollections have been had they recalled years later, awakening Jesus to warn Him He might be perishing? But they, like all of us at times, were focused on their own comforts.

Our life as believers is not supposed to remain stagnant, without growth. Growth means growing pains, and growing pains come when difficult seasons befall us. But we are not without a Savior and Friend who will remain in the boat with us.