"Looking for Lovely"

Summer Book Club

“Looking for Lovely”

Thursday, July 13th

“And they became very much afraid and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey.’” Mark 4:41, NASB

“But they were overwhelmed with fear and awe and said to one another, ‘Who is this man who has such authority that even the wind and waves obey him?’” TPT

Read Mark 4:35-41. Try to imagine the scene in detail. As you read, picture yourself in the boat and feel all the chaos of event.

Sometimes life is just chaotic, right? The disciples in this boat didn’t do anything wrong to create their scary circumstances. Yet, chaos was literally swirling all around them. How do we trust that our God is a God or order when we are sitting in the middle of seemingly complete disorder?

You know it happens. I know it happens. We trust God fully! Then, life turns upside down, and we become overwhelmed with fear and awe. Something happens in our minds. They short circuit, and the memories of all God has ordered in the past are taken over by the thoughts of what He’s not doing now.

When the storm kicked up and the winds blew torrentially, the disciples said, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to die! (vs. 38)”

My “quiet time” routine is a little off this summer. Usually, I have a Bible study book I’m working through for myself or for a group I’m leading. Other than this study, though, I don’t have anything I’m in the middle of. So, there have been a couple of mornings that I wake up and don’t really know what to read or study. This morning is one of those mornings. I’m fairly caught up on my writing for “Looking for Lovely,” but I want to study something. I picked up my Bible and turned to Mark, because I’ve been slowly reading there when I have time.

The end of Mark 4 is where I’d left off last time. How interesting! I’m in the middle of sharing Annie’s chapter on sushi and God’s order rather than disorder, but I’m faced with a story where Jesus allowed a little disorder. It seemed.

And sometimes it does seem like disorder is given space to live. Often, God allows the “storms” of life to blow, cause damage, and scare us to death. Why? Doesn’t He care?

I can’t tell you how much I love that Jesus’ disciples asked this question. They’d already observed many miracles, heard Jesus’ teachings, and watched Him live His life with full authority. But, when that storm kicked up and Jesus slept, they freaked out, and they wondered if He even cared.

I also love that Jesus matched their honest question with His own, “Why are you so afraid? Haven’t you learned to trust yet? (vs. 40)”

How can we live with a thriving trust in God’s order even when we see disorder, when we’re stuck in the middle of it?

I’m going to pause right here and offer you space and time to consider for yourself. Annie shared her sushi story. I bet you have your own. During the next few minutes, ask God to remind you of a very real way He’s led you to trust His authority over the wind and the waves so that you can apply that lesson to your next bout with fear and anxiety.

Pray your own personal prayer today. Use the memory God has given you to offer thanks and requests to God. I am praying for this to be a special time between you and your God. He is a God of order even when (especially when) our lives are in disorder.