Asleep in the Boat

If you’re like me, you probably have things in your life that have followed you around relentlessly that you would prefer to get rid of. I’m not talking about people (although maybe you have a few of those as well…I’ll save that for later post). I’m talking about those pesky failures and disappointments. I’m talking about those stupid mistakes and poor choices. I’m talking about those days, weeks, months or years where you’ve lacked faith, joy or hope.

I’ve had a few of those days lately. I’ve struggled to know who I am in this new season of my life. If I’m honest, I’ve had a hard time understanding my purpose…something that seemed so certain two years ago. Yet, in the midst of it all, I feel like I’m growing and I’m maturing because I have no where else to turn but to Jesus. What a great place to be (even if it usually doesn’t seem that way).

Here is something I’m exploring through this process: Success without adversity is destructive. And yet, it’s what most of us pursue. We have no ability to handle or appreciate success when we have not had to work for it, when there has been no price to pay. In fact, I’ll take it one step further and say that failure and disappointment can, and should, be more beneficial than success. Falling down, being disappointed, walking through pain sharpens us and strengthens us in ways that success never can.

Unfortunately, we hate the friction that comes from being sharpened…but there is no other way for that edge to be built. That’s why Solomon writes in Proverbs 27, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” We want growth and we want maturity, but it comes at a cost. Sometimes, that friction causes fires that seem to burn our dreams and expectations to the ground. If we’re not careful, our hope can go up in the flames as well.

So, failure, disappointment, loss and pain are all essential to the process when we learn to embrace them rather than run from them. I remember reading about the importance of not helping a butterfly when it is emerging from it’s cocoon. The proper development of the wings of the butterfly are directly dependent on the amount of exertion it expends in it’s escape from it’s “prison.” It needs the adversity to strengthen it’s wings so it can fly.

Unfortunately, I find myself consistently asking the Lord for help anytime something starts becoming difficult. I don’t like the pain and I don’t always like the work involved. The disciples were no different. These seasoned sailors even woke Jesus up when the storm became too intense. Yes, He was asleep in the stern of the boat…he even had a pillow…so it was serious sleep and He was tired. Read it…it’s all there. Of course, you probably know the rest of the story. Jesus woke up and spoke to the storm and it ceased. Everything became calm. His response to His disciples? “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40 NIV) We tend to read that question of faith to mean that they should’ve had the faith to calm the storm themselves. I don’t think so. His comment before that (“Why are you so afraid?”) tells the true direction of His message. In other words Jesus was saying, “You’re afraid because you have no faith that I will get you through.”

HE WAS IN THE BOAT…SLEEPING!

That should’ve been the clue that everything was going to be okay. He obviously wasn’t concerned. If they had simply grabbed pillows and followed their leader, they would’ve arrived safely on the other side. Yes, storm tossed, a little wet, but well rested. Their faith would’ve grown that day not because someone solved their problems, but because they weathered the storm. It’s the adversity, it’s the storms, it’s the pain that brings us to maturity. Let the storms rage – we have a Savior and He is Emmanuel, God with us. He’s the prince of Peace, the Alpha and the Omega, the Great I AM. He speaks to the storms and they obey His voice…so I will follow Him wherever He leads knowing that He is using my adversity to give me wings.