We are Perishing!

“Lord, save us!  We are perishing!” Matthew 8:25

My father loved to sail, even when he was 90 years old.  He would go out on the water even if the weather was so bad. Picture a small sailboat being swamped by the waves. When the wind was terrifyingly strong, he would be exhilarated. He was in his element. The strong winds and mighty waves excited him. In contrast, the experienced fishermen got scared and called on the Lord to save them!

Sometimes when God does not answer our prayers, we say He is not listening or He is sleeping. Jesus only slept because He was a man while on earth. He had all the limitations of our physical bodies which get tired and weary. Now He is not bound by the earth and we can depend on Him not to get tired or weary. We should always have the mindset that nothing is impossible with God. He can command not only the winds, and the sea, but even fires, missiles, the predicted "Big Earthquake", and even meteors hurtling to earth.  When He allows disasters, misfortunes, tragedies and reversals, we can and should ask, "Why did God allow this? Is there something I need to learn? About Him? About myself? What is His purpose?" We should go closer to God instead of farther, knowing when bad things happen, He is closer than a prayer.

When my dad fell and became bedridden, this gave him so much pain and he lost a lot of weight. But he asked, "Why did this happen to me? Why is my caregiver, Jay, a welder as well?" I am sure He asked God many more questions, but from these 2 questions, my dad came up with the answer that he now could make a Murphy bed. And so he made a Murphy bed and many other new products as well. Is it any wonder I admire my dad so much? He is always open to the opportunities God gives him! Even if that opportunity comes cloaked in a seeming misfortune. 

Lord, may I always have a heart of faith, seeing You for who You really are. May I not forget that You are with me whatever happens!