“Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.”
Mark 4:36
Even though I’m not the “center of this attention,” or the “star of this show,” I’m still affected. I am in one of “the other boats”.
This story in Mark 4:34-41 mainly focuses on the boat which contained Jesus and his closest disciples. We read about the sheer terror they were experiencing. They were struggling to keep their boat afloat. Fighting off this larger than life storm. Their boat being tossed around on the water and in the waves like a piece of paper. I can’t imagine the hopeless terror they must have felt as they faced their own mortality. All the while, Jesus slept like a baby. Probably tired from a long day of teaching his parables, and instructing people on how to live, Jesus took this opportunity as they sailed to the other side of the lake, to take a nap. He slept. The storm raged. The disciples panicked. Life hung in the balance.
After these disciples had done all they figured they could do, they finally woke up Jesus. And woke him up with a question. “Don’t you care??” In the moment, Jesus reminded them of how little faith they had. They had already heard his words and seen some of his miracles. Yet and still they didn’t really believe. Once Jesus gets up and wipes the sleep from his eyes, gets his focus, he rebukes the wind and yells at the water, “Peace! Be still!”
It was in that moment, during these disciples’ faith journey, their faith was made just a little bit stronger. The question now changed from “Don’t you care” to “What type of person are you?”
Right now Kandi is in that boat! The storm came almost as sudden as peace could leave. A normal sun-filled day with nary a cloud in the sky. Then all of a sudden there was darkness and howling winds blowing from all directions. What should have been an enjoyable cruise to the end of another successful school year and choir season, has all of a sudden turned into this fight with a medical enemy that has yet to reveal its true identity.
However, having heard and read this biblical account of how Jesus calms the storm, Kandi realizes that she is not alone. Her faith is strong. She knows, she realizes that right now, Jesus may be silent. But he’s definitely not asleep. He has not abandoned her. He is there, in that boat with her. And she knows that it’s just a matter of time before he stands up, clears his throat and exclaims once again, this time for her, those three very powerful words, “Peace! Be still!
And she’s a fighter! She has put on her whole armor. She understands how it all functions and how to use it. With the fierceness and live out loud spirit of her mom coupled with the quiet, steely reserve of her dad, she’s prepared for battle. She’s in the boat. Sailing with the almighty. Knowing the storm is raging. The winds are blowing, stirring up the waves that beat relentlessly against her boat. But she is not alone!
I’m in one of the other boats
When trials and tests come in our life, we are not the only ones affected. There is always collateral damage. Those who are in close proximity get affected also. Others feel the pain. It’s as if the hurt is contagious.
In the story, “the other boats” are mentioned only once. However, I speculate that the storm of the magnitude that hit that night did not just rock that one boat with Jesus and his closest disciples on it. Common sense would tell me that if anything, depending on how close, if they weren’t in the middle of the same storm, they at least caught a strong wind or felt the ripples of some choppy, turbulent waves. I can imagine they felt the same fear of a life threatening situation that the disciples did. Had they known that Jesus was asleep? Did they know he slept? Would they . . . Did they . . . Yell across the storm tossed waters for Jesus to wake up?
It’s in our prayers for Kandi, in our thoughts and in our pleadings that Jesus hears the distress call. “We need you now!” “Do you care?” Some may ask. “We know you care!” Others may state.
Even though we don’t physically feel the needle sticks. The probing of the tool to extract bone and marrow for all sorts of medical tests. The discoloration from the bruises because the absence of platelets won’t allow her blood to clot as it should. We cry out in agony, because being in the other boats, we still experience the synesthesia. We see it. We hear about it. So therefore, we feel it.
Because she is us. We are her. It’s the family. Me, her husband. The 29, going on 30 years of life and living. The memories. The love, the laughs. The arguments. The financial struggles. The grief of caring for and watching parents leave us. The raising of kids. I may be in one of the other ships right now, but I’m oh so close. I hurt when you hurt. I fret when you fret. The mystery and uncertainty wound me too. I try to be strong and put on the tough exterior, but sometimes I want to shout, “Jesus! Wake! Up!”
It’s her kids. The two she birthed, plus the niece she opened her home and her heart to. They stand by in the other boat. Feeling the effects of the storm. The wind blowing hard in their faces. The waves beating strongly against the bow of their boat. They can feel it too.
It’s the cousins and aunts and uncles who are in the other boats. Feeling the wind and rocking in the waves. Calling out to Jesus.
It’s the Bammel family. In one of the other boats. Who misses your melodious voice and the way you praise every Sunday with all of your being. They cry out to an awake and aware Jesus! Save her, Lord! Save Us Lord!
It’s her work family in one of the other boats. They were there with you on the day the storm came. They took care of you initially. Comforting you. Monitoring you and giving concern.
And now, they miss your presence. The professionalism you brought to the job. The dedication, commitment and love you have for your students. And speaking of your students. They are in another boat also. Right now being tossed about by this same storm of uncertainty and unknowing, wondering, “when is Ms. Poole coming back?”
Collateral Chaos – Collateral Care
When we go through a test or a trial, we are never alone. The effect is far reaching and just as impacting on our own personal and proximal world. Others, who are our family, friends, loved ones, employees and employers feel the storm. Whether it’s a faint wind or the blistering gusts that have a deafening howl.
Even, yet and still throughout all the Chaos of the storm, just remember to calm your fears. Take a deep breath and look, listen and feel.
Look for Jesus. And you won’t have to look far or hard because he’s sitting right there holding and protecting you from the worst of the storm. Because when you think the storm is too relentless, remember He’s that shield, that umbrella that’s covering you from the deadliest part.
Listen for His calling. When you calm your nerves and concentrate your mind, you can hear His whisper even in the midst of the raging storm, saying, “I’m here! I got you!”
And finally, Feel His presence. He’s not asleep. He’s sitting right beside you. Holding your hand.
And for the rest of us, in the other boats. He’s with us too. He is the Master, and just as the tempest is raging its worst, He stands and proclaims “Peace! Be Still”