One day He [Jesus] got into a boat with his disciples, and He said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake. . ." And, while they were sailing He fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They . . . woke him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was calm. (Luke 8: 22 - 25, NRSV).

I sat down to write this devotion with one thought in mind. But, my mind shifted gears as I listened to the weather broadcasts. The meteorologists are predicting an approaching snow storm that is expected to dump massive amounts of snow on our area and most other Mid-Atlantic regions. Noting that our nation's capital is bracing for the "snow storm of the century," one meteorologist even referred to the storm as apocalyptic!  

The weather forecast got me thinking about the prominence of "storms" in the Bible. The Old Testament speaks of chaotic waters and sweeping winds at creation, the flood in Noah's day, smoke, fire and earthquakes on Mt. Sinai when Moses received the Law, and the storm at sea that snared Jonah, God's stormy battle with the Baal gods, and Elijah's and Jeremiah's emotional, physical and psychological storms of guilt, doubt, depression, exhaustion and frustration.

Our Lucan passage about Jesus and his disciples caught in a storm at sea is one of the storm dramas in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul experienced a storm at sea that broke apart the boat on which he and other prisoners were being transported. The Bible ends with God's stormy battle against dragons, beasts and Satan in Revelation's apocalyptic picture of the future.  

Do all these storm dramas leave you scratching your head about their purposes? Is there any relationship between these storm stories and your life? What meaning can these ancient stories possibly have for our lives in the 21st century? 

The biblical stories of storms are reminders that none of us makes it through this life without experiencing some storms. Everyone experiences some. They may be natural storms caused by snow, floods, lightning, wind, or earthquakes that threaten our property and our lives. Who has not gone through some emotional, physical, or psychological storm crisis caused by events beyond our control or by the choices we make. Christians often find themselves in internal storms of struggle between human desire associated with living in the world and doing God's Will. 

And, every storm we experience is frightening. We find ourselves in the boat with the disciples, fearing that our storm will destroy us. We need, really need, Jesus, and it seems like Jesus is sleeping on the job. Jesus seems silent, distant.

Like the disciples, we want to know in our moments of desperation, exhaustion, doubt, and worry if we are going to perish. The question we want to ask is not so much whether Jesus calmed the storm for the disciples and saved their lives. No. We want to know whether God still acts to deliver people from chaotic, desperate and overwhelming situations and predictments today. I know, Jesus, that you cared about them, but do you care about me?

God does. The Bible's stories of storms also remind us of the power of God to deliver those caught in life's storms of every kind or nature. Luke's account of the disciples caught in the storm also reveals the identity of Jesus who dwells among us and cares about us. God does not always keep us from going through storms. But, Jesus asks us the same question asked of the disciples, "Where is your faith? Do you believe that I am in the midst of the storm with you?" 

Jesus could sleep during the storm because Jesus knew that God was with him. Faith does not hang on God always immediately stepping in to save us from everything. Instead, faith turns upon our belief in a compassionate God. Jesus' compassion is not only revealed in a boat but on a cross. God's compassion does not fail.

When you find yourself in a storm, breathe deeply, center yourself upon God's compassion. Sense God's presence.