Not Upset

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? 

Mark 4:37-38 

What upsets us does not upset Christ. In the story from which our text derives, Christ is with His disciples on the Sea of Galilee during a tempestuous wind storm. The sea is so wrought up that the boat is starting to fill.  The disciples, some of whom are experienced watermen, understand the peril. They are highly distraught. Christ, worn out from a day of teaching, healing and ministering, is asleep on a pillow in the back of the ship. He is peacefully undisturbed, while the tempest rages and the disciples fret. Why is this important?  What we see is the difference between God’s perspective and ours. We find ourselves surrounded by chaos.  Many things may be causing it. The chaos may not be the result of anything we have done. We may be understandably upset, as any person of intelligence and experience would be. What we need to understand is that what upsets us does not upset Christ. When we are distraught, He is not. When we are fretful, anxious and fearful, He is composed, calm, and undisturbed. This is why we look to Him. He knows what we do not know. 

Our Gracious Master and our God, 
we rejoice that with You all is peace. 
We praise You that in the midst of the  
most chaotic circumstances of life, 
You are calm. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning