#WednesdayWalk — Obeying Like the Wind and Waves

Posted on by Chris G Thelen

#Retrospective — This post originally published July 31. 2019.

I had never before heard teaching like this. Who is this man who teaches what the Kingdom of God is like? His words resonate with me like none other. “It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

A mustard seed so small yet it grows large to support birds. Could someone like me, so insignificant, be seen as so great in the Kingdom of God? I continue to listen, drawn to his teaching, hanging on every word until evening approaches. Finally I watch as he wraps up and walks away from the crowd. I hear him tell his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”

I don’t want him to go. I see him get into the boat with his disciples and they push off from shore. I see other boats push off from shore to follow them. I quickly run to shore and spot my friend starting to push his boat into the lake. “Let me go with you!” I shout as I run toward the boat. My friend smiles and waves at me as he pauses. I quickly climb onboard and he shoves off.

We start to follow not too far behind Jesus’ boat when suddenly a furious squall comes up. The waves break over the boat so that it is near the point of sinking. We fear for our lives. In the midst of the panic in our boat I catch a glimpse of Jesus getting up. A moment later the wind dies down and it is completely calm. I have never been so fearful in calm water.

We were close enough to the boat to hear Jesus across the still water. “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” I was sure he was speaking to his disciples, yet his words penetrated my heart. Across the water I could hear his disciples asking each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Indeed, who is this man? Is he truly the son of God? I wonder if I, like the wind and the waves, could obey his words.

#WednesdayWalk Through the Bible — an exploration of what unknown people might have seen or felt when they witnessed the events in the Bible. This post is based on Mark 4:30-41 (NIV), particularly verse 36 which mentions, “There were also other boats with him.” It is written from the perspective of someone who ends up in one of those boats after listening to Jesus teaching.

© 2019 CGThelen

18 thoughts on “#WednesdayWalk — Obeying Like the Wind and Waves”

  1. Pingback: #WednesdayWalk — Obeying Like the Wind and Waves – Tonya LaLonde
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  6. Wonderfully written! Using historical fiction brings “realness” to Jesus calming the stormy waters. People in nearby boats had to be just as amazed as the Disciples.

  7. There have been times I have ask the same question when there has been a storm in my life. Only I would ask, God are you in this for I know He is aware of the storm, yet storms of life can be so frightening that it can make fear rise about our faith for a while. He is the only one who can calm the storm, He has the power and it resides in us as the person of the Holy Spirit. He is able to drive the fear away as He brings forth God promises for my life.

    There was a time we lived right on the ocean in Papua New Guinea and you could see the storm start moving on the water, the dark clouds gathering, a cooler breeze blowing and then, the precious cool rain that followed. I love storms except the destructions they can bring, I don’ t love that part. There i much truth that will invade the heart as we watch a storm. These are words from a song, I know the Master of the wind, I know the Maker of the Sea, He can calm the storm, make the sun shine again, I know the Master of the Wind. Great post. See what it drew out of my heart, mark of a spirit filled post.

    1. This is a Spirit-filled comment as well. Some great insight you have shared! At one time we lived on a farm where you could see storms brewing a long way way off, building in intensity as they drew near. It is an amazing site, yet it can be a thing of fear. Thanks for the comment. Blessings.

  8. Wonderful post. I like it when people are able to open up a Bible scene with some God-given imagination…I’m praying God would give me some of that gift 🙂 Bless you today!

    1. I like writing these because it causes me to slow down and immerse myself into the scriptures. A book I enjoyed, “Lost Letters of Pergamum” by Bruce Longenecker, is a great book that transports you back into New Testament culture. It helps spark your imagination as to what it was like to live in that culture. Thanks for the comment. Blessings to you.

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