“He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:26

Though born in Pennsylvania, I have lived MOST of my life in Florida. I can tell you for a fact that Florida is a very special place…especially in the winter. Last weekend we had northern friends visit, which reminded me of just how blessed we really are. They had left 19 degree blizzard conditions and landed in 68 degree sunshine. The cold was far from their minds… until!

The next day we planned a trip to a local preserve on the inter-coastal waterway. The sun was bright with not a cloud in the sky. Venturing into the outdoors quickly made all of us stop, go back in the house and grab some jackets. When we got to our location and stood on the shoreline, we all shivered, as the 60 degree air was cut by a cold, blustering wind from the north. What we SAW was interrupted by what we COULDN’T” see.

It’s not something easily explained to someone who doesn’t live here. When we got back to the car, which had been parked in the sun, the inside temperature had to be over 100 degrees. Outside, the thermometer read 60. But standing in it felt like it was 30! We ALL felt the chill, even though what we experienced did not match up with what we saw.

There is no doubt that the disciples were MORE than grumbling when they sat in their little boat in the midst of a blustering storm. As Jesus slept, they rebuked Him for taking a lackadaisical approach to their surroundings. Jesus responded by rebuking the wind! And it OBEYED! When what the disciples SAW didn’t measure up to anything they had previously experienced, they they were frightened!

I live a lot of my life while shaking my head! Being comprised of a fleshy body, soul and new spirit, I don’t understand how many people can’t, or refuse, to see Jesus! But then I amaze myself when I respond like a demonically possessed curmudgeon when I hit standing traffic on the interstate! My own moods can EASILY flap about like a flag in a rushing wind, when what I SEE doesn’t match up with what I KNOW.

Jesus chided His disciples for not having faith in the middle of that storm. They were SUPPOSED to KNOW that HE was God. AND… that as long as they could SEE God right there WITH them, they had NO need or cause to fear! Today He is reminding me that He is ALWAYS in my boat (or am I in His?)! Come hell or high water!