Growing In The Wind
Who can this be, that even the winds and the waves obey Him!
Mark 4:41
Imagine a world without wind. Lakes would be calm. Falling leaves would not blow in the streets. But in still air, who would expect trees to suddenly fall over? That’s what happened in a three-acre glass dome built in the Arizona desert in America. Trees growing inside a huge windless bubble called Biosphere 2 grew faster than normal until suddenly collapsing under their own weight. Project researchers eventually came up with an explanation. These trees needed wind stress to grow strong.
The Lord Jesus let His disciples experience gale-force winds to strengthen their faith (Mark 4:36–41). During a night crossing of familiar waters, a sudden storm proved too much even for these seasoned fishermen. Wind and waves were swamping their boat while an exhausted Jesus slept in the stern. In a panic, they woke Him. “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (v 38). Then they began to find out. The Lord did care and told the wind and waves to be quiet, and asked His friends why they still had no faith in Him.
If the wind had not blown, these disciples would never have asked, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the waves obey Him!” (Mark 4:41).
Today, life in a protective bubble might sound good. But how strong would our faith be if we could not discover for ourselves His reassuring “be still” when the winds of circumstance howl?
Read
Mark 4:36–41.
Prayer
Father in heaven, please help me to remember that anything that frightens me comes with an invitation to find the strength of knowing and trusting You. Thank You, in Jesus name. Amen.
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