The Challenge of Faith
by Lynda Scott
I have always loved the account in the Bible of when Jesus calmed the storm. I have often tried to imagine myself in the scene; the massive waves and the wind bearing down on the boat; Jesus curled up below deck, seemingly oblivious to the danger everyone was facing. It seems so inconsistent, doesn’t it, that an all-knowing God was either not knowing or not caring. Fancy Jesus having a sleep at such a time, when His disciples and closest friends needed Him most.
I have also imagined the time when the storm that was threatening their lives was stopped by a single command from Jesus. How amazing it would have been to see the lake change as soon as He gave the word. But what I never had really thought about until this week was the timing of Jesus’ question to the disciples. Jesus did not ask them where their faith was in the middle of the storm. He asked them where their faith was after the storm, when all was quiet and calm and their lives were no longer in danger.
There are times in our lives when we go through storms. These storms could be of many varieties. It may be a physical storm or tsunami, but it could be an unexpected divorce, loss of a job, loss of a child, a diagnosis of cancer or some incurable disease. It comes like a storm, and you may wonder seriously if you are going to survive.
In the midst of your storm you cry out to God and you don’t seem to hear Him speaking to you. It’s as if He’s asleep and doesn’t even seem to care. But by the grace of God, in time, you survive your storm and life becomes quiet and calm again. In the quiet, you then hear His question “Where is your faith?”
He didn’t ask you in the middle of the storm because He knew it was too much for you to answer Him then. But once He has saved you and shown you how much He loves you, He challenges you with His question that cuts to the heart. He doesn’t ask “Where WAS your faith?” What He asks you is “Where IS your faith?” There’s a big difference. No matter what your storm is, Jesus is asking you if you trust Him with your future. How you answer Him is the most important decision you will make.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, you know the storm I have been facing. I’ve even wondered at times if I will survive. The fear for my life has been overwhelming. I’m so glad You are not asleep in the boat as if You didn’t know or didn’t care. Speak to my storm Jesus and say “Peace, be still!” Forgive me for doubting You and being afraid in the midst of my storm. I commit myself to trusting You with my life and my future. God, be with me. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Lynda Scott was first introduced to Ellel Ministries at a conference led by Peter and Fiona Horrobin in 1996 when she was miraculously healed following a devastating accident. Lynda has continued her association with Ellel Ministries over the years and has recently written her story “Lynda: From Accident & Trauma to Healing & Wholeness.” She lives in Australia with her husband Leigh and 3 children, who are all at school. She works in a local health clinic, as well as helping her husband with the administration of their beef cattle farm.
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