“One day, 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.  As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.In fear and amazement, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” 
Luke 8:22-25

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Have you ever been blindsided by someone you loved, trusted, or agreed with on many issues of faith? This past weekend, my proverbial family boat, which I often cocoon in, was severely rocked—the water poured in, and I felt as though I was sinking. 

What did I do? 

I fought back with angry words for a while, like one frantically scooping water out of a sinking boat. Finally, I closed my mouth and ran away, like I often do.

It is no accident that God Himself planned for me to brainstorm this devotion on this particular weekend because His words came quickly to my mind. Jesus is never asleep—he is awake. Even when we feel like we are capsizing, He is in control (Luke 8:24).

Over forty years ago, my husband and I were in a sailboat with our three-month-old daughter and our two best friends, who are seasoned sailors. We had a beautiful sail from Egg Harbor to Sister Bay for a delicious dinner on the dock. We packed for the return trip and climbed in the boat, anticipating a smooth sail to our home pier.  

However, the winds picked up, and the waves grew steep, as they often do in Green Bay. I went to the berth below with my daughter and strapped her in her infant car seat, which wasn’t helping on this wild ride. The boat heeled at a severe angle as I frantically rehearsed in my mind how I could save my daughter.

I kept screaming to our friend, the skipper, “Drop those sails and motor!” My friend yelled, “Trust and have faith in me; I know way more about squalls than you.” He was right. I was wrong.  

So, forty years ago and this past weekend, my process was similar to the disciples in the boat with Jesus, who appeared to be sleeping. I mucked around, trying to control the situations and the people. I depended on myself. But I heard God whisper reasonably quickly, “Oh, Nancy, where is your faith?” It felt like Jesus had His arms around me. “I am God, I will right your ship.” 

It isn’t always easy, but this Christmas season, I hope all of us can be open to what God is teaching us in our boat. Keep your eyes fixed on Him, “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). He will also right your ship when you call out in faith.

Next Steps

When He asked, “Where is your faith?” Jesus was teaching the disciples to understand His power so they could feel safe in an unsafe world. Do you feel like Jesus is asleep in the boat? Tell Him you are afraid you might drown. Then, be open to what He teaches you.