Reading for Thursday, Oct 11: Mark 4

My favorite part of this chapter is at the end when Jesus calms the storm. What’s unique about Mark’s Gospel with regard to this story is the question the disciples ask: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (v38). The question takes us beyond a simple foxhole prayer, a “Lord, please save me!” prayer. The disciples ask a question that implies something about Christ’s character. “Don’t you care that we are dying?”

I suppose I like that because it resonates with my experience. Pain and sorrow and a variety of other circumstances can cause us to question God sometimes, to question His character. We find ourselves in the midst of the storm and fear takes hold. These professional fishermen spent a good part of their lives on the water, yet this storm is strong enough to have them fearing for their lives. And the circumstances of our lives can sometimes lead us to ask the same question of God that these disciples are asking: “Lord, are you there? Have you forgotten me? Do you care what I’m going through?”

But here’s the best part about those questions: they’re still directed to the right place. These questions may not sound very faithful — in fact, some of us might shudder at the thought of being so bold in our speech before God. Yet, in my opinion, these statements are beautiful, authentic expressions of faith precisely because they’re directed at God. The point of the story seems to be that we serve a God who is greater than any storm, greater than all creation even. With this in mind, I can find the strength to move forward in faith, trusting in Him to see me through, even while I ask tough questions.