By: Sharon De Freitas, Attorney at Law
Named after English explorer Francois Drake, the Drake Passage is considered by most seafarers to be the most dangerous body of water on the planet. It is located 59.91° South Latitude and 62.38° West Longitude, or simply put, between the edge of south America and the Antarctic. It is here in this narrow strip of water the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean currents collide. This convergence creates the perfect storm—sub-zero temperatures, unforgiving wind storms, violent swells, and a continuously roaring sea. An overwhelming reminder that here, humans are the unwelcome intruders.
In Matthew 8, Mark 4, and Luke 8, the Bible tells of a storm; one in which Jesus and His disciples were caught. One in which the disciples feared for their lives while Jesus slept.
Mark 4: 38, 39 NIV
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Jesus’ response of rebuking the wind, seems to suggest that He was annoyed by the disciples’ question. It demonstrated a lack of faith, especially in the context of John 10:10 (NIV) where He said, “… I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Where are you today? Are you are in a “Drake Passage?” Is your life in a state of restlessness? Do currents of confusion converge in your mind? Are you bombarded by the winds of strife of this world? Maybe you are out in the cold, and the roaring seas are stealing your joy and peace. From your vantage point the ship is breaking and no one cares if you drown.
I take this opportunity to remind you that Jesus is still in the boat, and He is still able and willing to calm the storm. He can “quiet” the noise all around you. He can hush the winds and calm the roaring sea. But more comforting, is that He alone can say “be still” to your inner being. That place where the currents meet, and turbulence abounds. God cares “if you are drowning.” And so I encourage you to “Be still, and know that [He is] God,” as we are commanded in Psalm 46:10 (NIV).
Today, let God have His way in your life. Give Him charge of your ‘ship.’
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