Fair Winds and Following Seas

Mark 4:35-41

by Tony P.

Many years ago, I was in the Navy, and heard that blessing many times, “Fair winds and following seas, mate.”  For the sailor, there is hardly a more pleasant condition to be travelling across the waters of the earth.  Nothing unsettling, no buffeting, no reaching for stationary objects to steady oneself; easy steering.  A steady progress in the desired direction, a time to relax, even while still attending to the helm.  The eye wanders freely to the horizon, where the stars drape down, like a sparkling sheet, to meet the black pillow of the sea.

Until the storm hits.  The heading must be maintained, but the winds shift, now coming across the beam, and the winds are pushing against the current.  The waves and swells get higher and closer together, and their peaks are being ripped off and slapped against your face.  The boat rocks, dangerously rolling.  The boat pitches up off a crest, and falls with a violently hard plunge into the trough below.  A random yaw and your stomach deposits bile upward in your esophagus.

And that’s Monday!  The night’s slumber must quit to the reality of life.  In this day’s passage, however, Jesus is quite at ease in the stern of the boat.  Why?  Whether storm or calm, he is absolutely certain of arrival.  But, we’re not anything like Jesus, now are we?  The worries of the world can be frightening, yet, in Jesus, because of our position in His righteousness, we WILL cross to the other side.  Yet, for our sakes, he rebukes the storm, and it obeys.  Remember, it is his WORDS that are his superpower.

You see, even though he might speak to the storm, the destination was never in doubt.  This is why he could slumber so deeply.

“Why are you so afraid?” As if to say, With me, you will make it.  Rest in me, as I rest.  Your faith, in my certainty, is all you need. ALL your faith.

Then, marvel at what he does next.  “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”  

Prayer:  Psalm 104:1-4 [1] Bless the LORD, O my soul!  O LORD my God, you are very great!  You are clothed with splendor and majesty, [2] covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.  [3] He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; [4] he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.