When Life is Big and God is Small

Mark 4:35-41 is a slice of the narrative story of Christ. In it we learn some things about life and about Christ in the midst of life. When the storm begins, the disciples have to deal with two things: the terror of the storm and being confronted with their inability to deal with it, and the unexpected response of Christ, being asleep. One thing that is important to start with is that fear, by its very nature, is an interpretation of life. We tend to look at situations like this: situation+self+God=fear/hope. I look at the size of the situation, I look at my ability or inability, I add to that who I think God is and what I think He is doing, and the result is either hope and courage or fear. This moment in the storm actually reveals more about the heart of the disciples than that of Jesus. Basically, our functional theology (how I live what I believe)does not always match our confessional theology (what I say I believe about God). A situation arises that is out of my control and I hope things will work out OK. I am failing to understand the situation in the plan of Christ in my daily life. Hoping things will work out OK does not match the confession I make about His sovereignty and love for me. Now here is what the disciples apparently forgot before they got into the boat: in verse 35 Jesus said: Let us go over to the other side. This is most important in understanding the story. As far as they were concerned, they were about to die and Jesus was asleep and seemingly indifferent. This episode follows a full day of listening to Jesus teach and explain His teaching. Something did not stick with the disciples and they seemed to have forgotten everything Jesus had said and done before the storm. This is very similar to the ending of the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus made the building comparison between rock and sand BEFORE the storms came. The original tense in that passage indicates God gives enough time to build (in the context it is building one's life) before the storms come. And then it is revealed how one has been building. So, for now, what do I really believe about Christ and what He is doing in the world today and in my life? Why do I believe that and how is that belief holding up during difficulty?