A number of years ago I had the opportunity to go sailing with a good friend of
mine. Ray was an oil man who had literally gone from struggling to pay the
bills to millionaire overnight. In the 80's it happened to a number of guys,
but Ray was a Christian and a friend, so we talked about our faith, God's
provision and his blessings often. After his new fortune Ray bought a boat he
had always wanted, it was a 38' sailboat. He had it delivered to Grand lake in
eastern Oklahoma. It's a large lake and a great place to sail. There was a day
one spring when we both had some time and Ray asked me to go sailing with him.
I was thrilled to join him. I had never sailed before and looked forward to the
experience. We met at the lake and got on the boat to get underway. Slowly we
motored out of the inlet into the lake and then put up the sails. It was a
great experience! I loved the sounds of the wind in the sails, the waves on the
boat and the experience of sailing by wind power alone. We had a great time and
a wonderful visit. ... Then it happened. Suddenly, and really without warning,
a storm came up. It was a big one. 50-60 mile per hour winds and gusts, 3-4
foot waves, black clouds moving overhead. Quickly the lake cleared of other
boats. Within minutes we were in a storm I can imagine the disciples
experienced on the sea of Galilee when they woke Jesus and declared,
"Don't you care that we are drowning?" I think I understood the fear
they experienced. Our boat was leaning with the storm winds at 50 degrees or
more. The waves were washing over the deck. The skies were black. The rain was
intense. I WAS AFRAID! But then I turned around and looked at Ray as he steered
the boat across the lake. HE WAS SMILING! I couldn't believe it. Didn't he see
what I saw? Didn't he know this was bad? In my amazement I yelled through the
storm, "How can you smile in this storm? Don't you see the wind and the
waves?" I heard the disciples in my own voice as I said, "Don't you
care that we might drown?" Ray smiled back and said, "You don't
understand. I know my boat. It has a 9,000 pound keel. This boat was built for
the oceans. This storm is nothing! We are fine! Relax, enjoy the ride."
Suddenly, my fear subsided. I had looked at the captain's face. He knew things
about our boat that I didn't. He knew we were fine. Within a few moments my
fear turned to calm. Because I trusted the captain I began to enjoy the ride.
Nothing had changed....the wind still blew, the rains still came, the waves
still washed over the deck, but something was different....I had seen the
captain's face. ... The Christian life is much like this little adventure of
mine. We are often caught in the storms of life and fear for our lives, our
finances, our health. This life is often overcome by a storm when we least expect
it. Fears overwhelm us. Death feels close. Panic is in our voices.....but then,
with fear growing, we look at Jesus and discover that he is smiling! How can he
smile in this storm? Doesn't he know we are about to go down? And he replies,
"You don't understand. I know this boat. I know what I have planned for
you. We are fine. I'll bring you safely home. Enjoy the ride." It's funny
how a glance at the face of our captain, Jesus, can change a fearful storm into
an exciting adventure. A look at the captain's face makes all the difference!
...
A number of years ago I had the opportunity to go sailing with a good friend of mine. Ray was an oil man who had literally gone from struggling to pay the bills to millionaire overnight. In the 80's it happened to a number of guys, but Ray was a Christian and a friend, so we talked about our faith, God's provision and his blessings often. After his new fortune Ray bought a boat he had always wanted, it was a 38' sailboat. He had it delivered to Grand lake in eastern Oklahoma. It's a large lake and a great place to sail. There was a day one spring when we both had some time and Ray asked me to go sailing with him. I was thrilled to join him. I had never sailed before and looked forward to the experience. We met at the lake and got on the boat to get underway. Slowly we motored out of the inlet into the lake and then put up the sails. It was a great experience! I loved the sounds of the wind in the sails, the waves on the boat and the experience of sailing by wind power alone. We had a great time and a wonderful visit. ... Then it happened. Suddenly, and really without warning, a storm came up. It was a big one. 50-60 mile per hour winds and gusts, 3-4 foot waves, black clouds moving overhead. Quickly the lake cleared of other boats. Within minutes we were in a storm I can imagine the disciples experienced on the sea of Galilee when they woke Jesus and declared, "Don't you care that we are drowning?" I think I understood the fear they experienced. Our boat was leaning with the storm winds at 50 degrees or more. The waves were washing over the deck. The skies were black. The rain was intense. I WAS AFRAID! But then I turned around and looked at Ray as he steered the boat across the lake. HE WAS SMILING! I couldn't believe it. Didn't he see what I saw? Didn't he know this was bad? In my amazement I yelled through the storm, "How can you smile in this storm? Don't you see the wind and the waves?" I heard the disciples in my own voice as I said, "Don't you care that we might drown?" Ray smiled back and said, "You don't understand. I know my boat. It has a 9,000 pound keel. This boat was built for the oceans. This storm is nothing! We are fine! Relax, enjoy the ride." Suddenly, my fear subsided. I had looked at the captain's face. He knew things about our boat that I didn't. He knew we were fine. Within a few moments my fear turned to calm. Because I trusted the captain I began to enjoy the ride. Nothing had changed....the wind still blew, the rains still came, the waves still washed over the deck, but something was different....I had seen the captain's face. ... The Christian life is much like this little adventure of mine. We are often caught in the storms of life and fear for our lives, our finances, our health. This life is often overcome by a storm when we least expect it. Fears overwhelm us. Death feels close. Panic is in our voices.....but then, with fear growing, we look at Jesus and discover that he is smiling! How can he smile in this storm? Doesn't he know we are about to go down? And he replies, "You don't understand. I know this boat. I know what I have planned for you. We are fine. I'll bring you safely home. Enjoy the ride." It's funny how a glance at the face of our captain, Jesus, can change a fearful storm into an exciting adventure. A look at the captain's face makes all the difference! ...
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