In reading the chapter Listening For God When We Are Busy in the book The Art of Spiritual Listening by Alice Fryling, I was directed to the story of Jesus and the disciples in the boat in Mark 4:35-41. This is the 3rd time I’m reading this particular chapter because I can’t take in everything to be learned in one reading.

Under Making It Real is the question: Picture your life as a boat out in the middle of a lake in a “furious squall” (verse 37). What things in your life seem like waves that may capsize your boat?

I sat quietly and thought of a few answers including the worry that God won’t be there if I am in a dire situation like the many people of late who have suddenly been victims of mass shooters. Then I dismissed that because I know He would be and in that next instant I will be with Him forever! If the “worst” happens I know He will be there. Then came the nudge from God that it isn’t worrying about being shot but worrying that God won’t do what I want Him to do.

Can you imagine the hubris in that? It begged the question do I trust God? Do I trust Him to do what He knows is best for everyone and everything?

Jesus told the wind and the waves, “Quiet! Be still!! (verse 39).

Further in the chapter was the advice to set aside some time to sit with the verse, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Set aside time for quiet…be still…know that I am God…

He created everything that is and we all have our being in Him. What capsizes my boat? Thinking I know better than God because then there isn’t even a boat! When I truly analyze that it’s no wonder I feel adrift and tossed in storms I have no idea how to survive. I can’t save myself. I can’t save anyone else either. I am so thankful for His patient nudges of reality that remind me I don’t know anything. Do you? Truly? I start there. Teach me Lord; help me understand and thank you for your goodness and mercy and patience and most of all your love. You don’t condemn…you love. You whisper, Quiet…be still…and know that I am with you. He calms the storms…He is the only One who can.