Reflections: Who’s in my boat?

It’s always amazing to reflect on the continued relevance of the Bible to current events and to my life. While returning home after attending a memorial service in Kansas last week, I was anxiously checking news from Springfield, where my daughter and son-in-law were dealing with falling tree limbs, and watching social media posts about the concert at Thunder Ridge near my home—while catching up on Bible study in, of all things, the book of Jonah. 

The real-life situation made me wonder, “Who’s in my boat?” While sailors tried desperately to do their job in a terrible storm, Jonah was asleep in the bottom of the boat, and they were genuinely puzzled. Their cultural viewpoint included various pagan gods, so why wasn’t he awake and calling on his God. Jonah, however, was likely sleeping from total exhaustion after trying to run from God’s instructions, not thinking about God’s power. His disobedience, however, created an opportunity for those sailors to see the power of the true God, as the sea calmed immediately when they reluctantly threw Jonah overboard.  

Another storm story is found in the New Testament, as Jesus and his disciples cross the Sea of Galilee, which is known for its sudden weather changes. As experienced fishermen, the disciples tried everything they knew, but were getting desperate. Jesus, meanwhile, was asleep in the bottom of the boat. Unlike Jonah, though, Jesus wasn’t running from his purpose. The One who made the earth, sea and everything else was right there with the disciples—and the storm gave the disciples a lesson in just Who they were following, valuable preparation for their appointed purpose of sharing the Gospel. 

The Apostle Paul was also in a storm at sea. Again, experienced sailors were trying to get everyone safely to shore, but making no headway. Paul, however, had God’s reassurance that he would make it to Rome. The shipwreck didn’t surprise God; instead, it enabled the sailors and islanders to hear about Him and witness miracles. Later, Paul died for his faith at the hands of the Roman emperor, but not before writing inspired letters that continue to instruct Christians. God was in control. 

As I was still thinking about storms in Missouri and storms in the Bible, the heartbreaking news reports began about the tragic loss of lives to flooding in Texas, including children and staff at a Christian camp. If I was one of those parents, I’m pretty sure I would be asking God why He was asleep in the boat. How hard it is to process circumstances that cut off young lives, full of potential, far too soon!  

The answer is, I don’t know—and yet, I do. We live in a fallen world, suffering consequences of Adam’s and Eve’s tragic choice in the Garden of Eden. Sometimes, like Jonah, we make our own bad choices that can affect others. Sometimes, like the disciples, we need to realize that Jesus is with us. Sometimes, like Paul, we are miraculously delivered from a situation to continue with God’s purposes for our lives until his time for us to finish. 

I pray for those families in Texas and other places where circumstances just don’t seem to make sense; I pray they realize that even in the midst of tragedy, God is there to comfort and strengthen, and that his purposes for eternity will prevail. Help me, Lord, to remember who’s in my boat.