Grateful for the supernatural

Over the past few days, it seems as if the Lord is speaking to me about my lack of faith in all the supernatural things that he has done for me and wants to do. Like a stubborn child, I have yet to fully comprehend just how much God is interested in my day to day affairs. It's sad to me, how often I fail to recognize him in my small decisions and struggle to go back and thank him for leading me through each storm. In my reading today, Mark shares a part of his Jesus' walk, that in my opinion reveals the same struggle for him.

Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

The disciples had seen first hand the miracles of Jesus. They walked alongside Jesus as he healed on the Sabbath, drove evil spirits out, and cleansed a leper. He sat with them and shared the true meanings of each parable, and even called each of them by name to a journey they would have never imagined being a part of. So why the doubt?

It's tempting to be judgmental when we neglect to look at the plank in our own eyes. Have I not seen just as many supernatural events and moments in my life time? Don't I walk just as close to Jesus, if not closer now that I have the Holy Spirit within in?  He's proven to me over and over again, how faithful he is to calm the storms within me and around me, yet I still frantically wake him up pleading for some sort of salvation. I doubt that the disciples recognized their fear as lack of faith. In fact, I am not sure they would have connected it to fear at all. Think about it, the boat was filling up! This was no small wave crashing alongside the bow of the boat. These guys were in the throws of panic with good reason, expect that with Jesus there really is no good reason.

Is that what Jesus was trying to get at. Having the faith to believe that He, who is able to do more for us than we could possible imagine, is still in control as the boat seems to be sinking. So what if the boat had sunk? Would He still be in control, be good, and be God of your life? If you ask yourself that question, it may be time to ask the ultimate question. Did he die on the cross or not and save us all from the ultimate storm? Our truest battle has already been won and we didn't even have to panic or fret. By us recognizing that our eternal destiny is secure in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, we begin to point our hearts towards being grateful for the supernatural. In light of the cross, we can not walk away without faith in the God who is able to calm all the storms that get thrown at us. Even if the storm doesn't disappear, leaves behind wreckage, and heartache, we know that Jesus is still on the thrown. Interceding on our behalf.

It is my prayer that each of us would walk in light of the gospel, with hearts full of awe and trust in the supernatural. May He bless you as you seek Him and trust in His mighty power to save.

B