23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” – Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV)

It’s probably a good thing that I’m not an insurance risk assesor.  I would be paranoid of everything.  I’d never want to leave the house unless I knew I was driving the safest car on the safest roadways, going to safest places to shop, making sure my son plays only safe sports (I wonder what the chances are of injury in the school stamp club… I supposed he could get a nasty paper cut or something…)…

I would want to weigh out the possibilities of getting hurt before doing anything.  I would never step out and risk anything.  I play it too safe the way it is!

The problem is this: life isn’t safe.  Things happen.  The unexpected strikes.  Life isn’t always predictable.

Or controllable.

Or safe.

At least not by our standards.

Consider the disciples.  There were some fishermen among the twelve.  These men knew the Galilean Sea.  They had surely been caught in storms before, so this one must have been a whopper.

They looked at the storm.  They saw the raging seas, the white caps and waves, the lightning streaking across the skies.  

Everyone is freaked out.

Well… almost everyone.

Jesus is there.  Asleep.  The boat is taking on water, and the Lord is grabbing forty winks.

“Save us!” The disciples are beyond freaked out.  Even though they are perfectly safe in the midst of the maelstrom, they only see peril.

Remember, Jesus led them into the boat.  He knew a big storm was brewing.  And He led His followers straight into it.

And, because of a lack of faith – because they were terrified of a situation that was beyond their control and threatened their very lives – they seem to have forgotten just exactly Who was sleeping through it, peacefully.

And Jesus rebuked the storm.  And all was calm.

Sometimes we need to set aside trying to be a risk assesor.  Following Jesus isn’t always “safe” or comfortable.  In fact, God seems to have a way of keeping us out of our comfort zones and making us rely on Him – and realize that He is always faithful.

Despite storms.

Despite circumstances.

No matter how hard the winds howl or the storm pummels us, Jesusis always right there in the boat with those who follow Him.  Embrace His peace.  Rest faithfully in the Lord.  Cast off your cares and worries and know that the storm won’t last forever.  And when the sun breaks through the clouds, you may just see a rainbow.