Peace at the Stern
Scripture — Mark 4:38 (NRSV)
“But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’”
Focus
I want to pause before Jesus wakes up and invite you to notice _where _he has fallen asleep on the boat again. I did some research as someone who knows nothing about boats, winds or waves. The _stern _where Jesus is, is the rearmost part of the hull. The purpose of the stern is to provide structural integrity, stability, and crucial functionality for propulsion and maneuvering.
Devotion
Around sunset, the disciples and Jesus are on a boat, and they decide to go across to the other side of the lake. They take Jesus with them. I only recently realized that other boats were also with him. A windstorm arose and came upon all of those boats. The boat that Jesus was in was also getting swamped. In a comedic turn of events, they have to wake Jesus who is asleep on a cushion in the stern. Some people go into a deep sleep no matter what is going around them! I wish I was one of those.
I want to pause before Jesus wakes up and invite you to notice _where _he has fallen asleep on the boat again. As someone who knows nothing about boats, winds, or waves, I did some research. The stern, where Jesus is sleeping, is the rearmost part of the hull. The purpose of the stern is to provide structural integrity, stability, and crucial functionality for propulsion and maneuvering.
As the Spirit invited me to reflect on the curious location where Jesus is taking a nap, I began to wonder. It may seem as though Jesus is asleep even in moments where I feel out of control in the boat of my life. What an encouraging insight to think that Jesus may look like he is asleep, but he is in full control of the _stern _of my life. He is asleep but resting confidently as the one who provides structural integrity, stability, and purpose in my maneuvering. He will show me how to move forward!
Sometimes the holiest thing we can do in a crisis is to take a nap so we can make decisions from a place of rest. And in that place of rest, may we remember that our Savior can be awakened at any point. In fact, he is always ready to step in to provide stability and groundedness in our storms. Christ is our promised presence. He can still rebuke the wind and the waves.
Reflect
Where are you in need of peace in your life right now?
Act
Imagine where Jesus is in your boat at the moment. How would you wake him? What would you say?
Pray
God of peace, God who never sleeps, thank you for watching over us in our waking and in our sleeping. In the storms and high winds of our lives, may we imagine Jesus at the stern. May we remember that he truly does care that we do not perish. For he desires that none should perish but that we would enjoy abundant life. Jesus, may you speak to the storms, for we know you still have the power to calm our raging seas. Peace be with me. Amén.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Discipleship in Process (Mark 4:35-41; 6:45-52; 8:14-21).
Inés Velásquez-McBryde
Chaplain at Fuller Theological Seminary & Pastor, Preacher, Speaker
Inés Velásquez-McBryde is a pastor, preacher, reconciler and mujerista theologian. She is the lead pastor and co-founder of The Church We Hope For. She is originally from Nicaragua, a third generation pastor, and the first pastora in her family. Inés earned her MDiv at Fuller Theolo...