Jesus is in control

Have you seen the film The Perfect Storm? It’s the story of a fishing vessel that gets caught in a most unusual storm. Having tried to battle through the storm to get home with their catch, captain Billy Tyne decides it time to turn around and let the storm blow them back to calmer waters. For a moment there is hope as they see bright sunlight breaking through the clouds on the horizon, but it doesn’t last. The dark clouds soon cover the sun and one of the central characters simply says, “She’s not letting us go.”

There are times in our lives when we feel as if we are caught in the perfect storm, and it won’t let us go.

It may be the storm of a broken or difficult relationship; it may be the storm of an uncertain future. It may be the storm of illness or loss, of unrealised dreams and unfulfilled promises. It may be the storm of financial pressure or mounting debt.

And there may seem like there is no way out, that the clouds are closing in and the storm is getting worse.

Storm Chasers

Some people are born storm chasers.

Having survived being swept away in a flash flood at the age of 12, a year later Warren Faidley began chasing dust storms on a bicycle! He graduated to chasing storms of all kinds full-time. One interviewer said of him: "Like the boy who can't resist opening the cellar door to find out what is making that gnawing sound, Warren Faidley wants to meet the monster."
Whilst Warren chases weather patterns, some people chase the storms of life.

David chased the storm of illicit love as he watched Bathsheba take a bath when he should have been with the troops. Saul chased power and loyalty when he should have been chasing obedience towards God. Jacob chased a blessing when he should have been chasing the patience for god to fulfil his promises in his own time.

Storm Victims

As well as the chasers there are those for whom the storm appears to have chased them. The woman with the haemorrhage, the man born blind, the woman Jesus met by a well in Samaria.

Storm Survivors

Perhaps they are storm breakers not just survivors. People like Job who survived the storm of loss, or the prophets who rode the storm of national disobedience. Peter and Paul who faced their own storms or prejudice and pride.

A storm on Lake Galilee

Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the story of the day Jesus told the storm to calm down. The books will tell you that the geography of the area lends itself to sudden storms, and strong winds can rise suddenly on the surface of the lake. As the disciples pull hard against the oars, fighting for control over the boat as the waves roll over the sides, Jesus was asleep, on a cushion, in the stern.

I don’t know if you have ever been in a boat, in a storm, but sleeping is generally the last thing you’re probably going to do. But apparently Jesus does.

A matter of perspective

I don’t think that Jesus being asleep is a demonstration of anything other than perspective. From heaven the storm is not as big as it looks from a small fishing boat attempting to ride the waves. In the context of eternity, your current storm is not as big as think it is. That isn’t to suggest that it’s unimportant or that you should pull yourself together and deal with it. It’s just a matter of perspective. From heaven the view is different.

The view from here is not the view from there.

The Big Question

Perhaps the real issue at stake in the midst of the storm is not surviving, not even the how and why of being in the middle of a storm. The big question is: Does anybody care? Does Jesus care? When we face the storms of life we want to know. Does God care about us? Does he understand what we are facing? The storm is bad enough, but where is God? Or is he simply asleep in the stern of the boat, blissfully unaware of the nature of the struggle and the potential for failure.

The Big answer

I lift up my eyes to the hills--
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
PS 121:1-2

Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.
PS 54:4

Jesus is in the boat. He may be asleep, but he’s in the boat. In the midst of the storm, he’s right there. And it’s not just a one off.

When they were out on their own in a storm, Jesus came to them walking on the water. When Paul faced certain shipwreck, Jesus spoke to him and assured him of his presence.

The truth is this: Whatever your storm, if you look for him, you will find Jesus there in the midst of it with you.

How can we know?

Four promises

#1 I am with you

Jesus told his disciples that he would be with them to the very end of the age and that goes for me and you to.

#2 I will never leave you

If it’s not enough to know that he is with us, it's getting close when we hear him say that he will never leave us.

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Heb.13:5

#3 Cannot be taken from me

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
John 10:28-29

#4 No more than you can bear

1Cor.10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Conclusion

Jesus offers peace. In the midst of out-of-control circumstances Jesus says, “You don’t have to be afraid, you don’t have to face this on your own.” If you will only take the heavenly perspective you will see this for the storm that it is, and Jesus is in control of the storm.
If he could speak peace and clam to the storm on the lake, what can’t he speak that same peace to in your life?