“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?’” Mark 4:37-38
Lord Jesus, “hurricane season”—not a phrase we who live in the southern part of the United States particularly like. But with Idalia heading towards a good chunk of Florida, we pray for those most likely to be impacted, and for those who will be serving communities with compassion and sacrifice. Still the storm. Still our hearts.
In one sense, it’s fair to say we’ve lived in “hurricane season” ever since sin and death entered the world and God’s Story. Some hurricanes, like Idalia, happen in the environment. Others happen in our hearts, health, and homes. Relational storms can feel like everything from a bad thunderstorm to a category 5 hurricane. We can rebuild homes easier than relationships. Have mercy on us, Jesus. Bring the power of the Gospel to bear in all of our relationships.
Thank you for being present in every storm we experience in life—even when we interpret your “sleep” as indifference. Because of your life, death, and resurrection, we don’t have to ask, “Teacher, don’t you care?” No one cares about us more than you do, Jesus. You aren’t “merely” our teacher; you are our perfect Righteousness, reigning King, and returning Bridegroom.
You always give us what we need, even when it doesn’t line up with our specific ask or timetable. We will never experience a Christ-absent, insufficient-grace, or Father-less day. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.