Jesus Stills the Storm

This meditation is based on a passage for August 8, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Mark 4:35-41

Reflection and Question: The New Revised Standard Version annotation for this passage reminds us that God controls the sea (Psalm 89:9, 25). No argument there: surely a power greater than ourselves determines the movement of the waters of the earth. Sometimes we grasp that power in the pull of the moon to create the tides or the tug of gravity on breaking waves, and we recognize that we cannot control it in any way. Experience has taught us to be humble in the face of storms at sea. No wonder the disciples marveled, as do we, at Jesus’ power to still the storm. What storms on the sea of your life has Jesus stilled?

Prayer: Blessed Jesus, we confess that Your stilling of the storm stretches our faith as it did for Your disciples in the boat. Whether on the sea itself, or adrift in the sea of our own lives, we look to You for those healing words, “Peace! Be still!” Amen.