Almost swamped

Scripture: Then it began to blow a great gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But (Jesus) was in the stern his head on the cushion asleep. Mark 4:37-38

Prayer: I have not been in a gale and feared for my life, but I have experienced life's gales and indeed I feared that I would be swamped. Help me always to remember where you are at such times and to take those few steps to the stern to wake you in my prayer.

Response: And here reading these verses, you could have spent your time trying to cull from your memory some sea adventures, but no, somehow you touched precisely the meaning of the Scripture selection for you this bright, windswept morning. Do you think it another coincidence that your thoughts touched you more deeply than any real or imagined adventure on the on the sea? So the first lesson this morning is to repeat over and over again—there are no coincidences.

And during those times in life when you were as desperate as one about to go down with the ship, where did you find solace and relief? Was it another coincidence that rescued you from your grief and separation, or deep despondency, perhaps in someone of extraordinary understanding and compassion—who just happened to be there—where ever there was?

Putting aside coincidences for a moment, have such experiences taught you stern from bow; that is, have you learned to walk or run to the stern which rides lower, deeper, in the water when the vessel is underway? Can you relate that it is in the deeper regions of your heart that the Master resides awaiting your cry? And have you yet come to realize that He is not dozing—just waiting for the call. It is probably a good idea to practice the call before you fear your vessel might be swamped.