Peace and Strength with Jesus

Even Though, part 4

“…Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.” Luke 8:22 (NIV)

A few months ago, I was fired from my job.

There’s a saying: “I know that I know.” That job was one I knew — knew God had provided. He made a way through every door of the interview process and gave me immense wisdom and peace across the two years I served in the role, even through some real storms. It was His hand, not mine.

And then it was gone. You do the obedient thing. You’re sure of it. And yet there you are, bailing water. Are you surprised to face a storm even though you followed God’s direction?

Scripturally, we see the same thing happening to the disciples in Luke 8. Jesus tells them He wants to cross the Sea of Galilee. They obey. Together with Jesus, they climb into the boat and set out.

Then a fierce storm blows in. The boat is filling with water, and they are in real danger. The disciples — fixed on their circumstances rather than on Who was in the boat with them — cry out, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (Luke 8:24, NIV)

What is Jesus doing?

He is asleep. On a cushion, in the stern, resting through the very storm His disciples are sure will kill them — the same storm He and they are enduring together.

This account in Luke gives us a few things worth holding onto in our walk with Jesus Christ.

Jesus never forsakes us. Nothing separates us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (see Romans 8:37–39). Nothing. He is always present. We need only trust and exercise our faith in Him. God is closer than our next breath.

Jesus is peace. Peace is one of the fruits of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (see Galatians 5:22–23). Jesus is the Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus imparts wisdom. When we pay attention and listen to Him, we come to know greater depths of who God is. That strengthens our journey and often equips us to help others walking through storms of their own (see 2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

When we trust Jesus and live surrendered to Him, we are filled with peace and begin to see our storms from His perspective — grounded in God’s peace, and resting in His omnipotence and sovereignty over all things.

Even though. Two small words. Even though the disciples obeyed, and even though Jesus was right there in the boat, the storm still came. And even though the storm came, they came through it knowing Jesus more deeply than before — His peace, His power, His sovereignty.

As for the job I was so sure God had given me — God taught me that He didn’t want me to stay in that boat anymore. He had a better opportunity waiting for me. And here is what I already knew: the peace He gave me in my previous role didn’t leave when the role did. It was never the job. It was and is always Him.

For Reflection

1. Are you facing a storm that you believe you are alone in? Have you reached out to Jesus Christ in prayer?

2. How can Jesus calm your heart and bring you peace — even if the storm you are facing remains for longer than you would like?

3. What would change in your heart and mind if you trusted that God is at work in the part of your story and in your storm you can’t yet explain?

Prayer

Holy God, you are Lord over all things — seen and unseen. Give us faith to remain obedient to You even when we encounter major storms during our walk with You. Give us wisdom and discernment to remember that You are our Prince of Peace! Amen.