People say, “We’ve never seen anything like this in our lifetime, where we can’t be in physical contact with anyone during a crisis.” We feel now helpless, confused and beat down by our situation that are totally outside our control. What do we do?
We see another story about fear in the bible. Disciples were in similar situation when crossing the Sea of Galilee. Then the storm arises, and it's rough. It's dark; it's confusing; it's out of control and chaotic. Disciples are fighting, crying, screaming and trying to save themselves.
There is Jesus in the storm but he is sleeping. Then, disciples cry out: "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Jesus speaks to the storm: “’Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm" (Mark 4:39). And then Jesus responds to the disciples: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40)
Time like this, the sea of life is rough. The wind is strong and the waves are high. We pray to God: “Please God do something for us. Help us find a vaccine for covid-19. Fix it quickly. Lord, we are sinking and people are dying. Do you not care that we are perishing?” We feel in the midst of the storm of virus that God seems absent and uncaring. Sleeping Jesus is not what we want. So we too cry out!
Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith? If we have faith, then can we control the storm of virus like Jesus does? No! Faith does not change the storm but change us to run through it. Only God does. The good news is that our faith allows us to know that God is still with us in the storm of virus. But our faith is weak and we are fearful.
“Lord, I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24) so that we may overcome the storms of loss, confusion, loneliness, disappoint and regret, depression, and uncertainty and distress. Sleeping Jesus, please wake up and save us!
Reflection:
Do we put our faith in the power of the storm or in the power of God in Christ?
Pastor Seok-Hwan
