MANY PEOPLE are not interested in the amount of work that you have put into anything—they are only intrigued by the finished work.
But God is interested in both—the outcome and the Process.
He (Jesus) saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him (process). Now he holds the honoured position (outcome)—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. (Hebrews 12:2)
The Narrative
IN THE DAYS OF JESUS, popularity was a dangerous thing, especially in the land occupied by the Roman soldiers.
And as his fame grew, people feared for his life.
When his mother and brothers came for him, he said, "You, here, are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does the will of God is My true family." (Mark 3:35)
While Jesus shared the stories of the Kingdom in parables, he explained them to his disciples.
And in the evening, he said to them, "Let us go over to the other side." (Mark 4:35)
They got into a boat and left the crowd behind.
Sweet Sleep
JESUS WAS EXHAUSTED; not long after, he fell asleep. (Luke 2:23)
As they sailed, a massive storm came upon the sea.
Water began to fill their boat. He was so tired that the storms did not wake him up. (Mark 4:37-38)
Jesus laid down in peace, and his sleep was sweet. (Proverbs 3:24; Psalm 4:8)
It's A Battle
THE DISCIPLES were concerned about the boisterous wind.
They ran to Jesus and said, "Don't you care that we are going to die?" (Mark 4:38)
Jesus got up and rebuked the wind.
The storm stopped, and everything was calm.
"Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" said Jesus. (Mark 4:40)
They did not realize that Jesus doesn't take people to the middle of the sea and leave them there.
His destination was the other side—there was a man there waiting to be set free. (Mark 5:1-6)
They walked with Jesus, yet they had problems with their faith.
And if they had problems with their faith, we are not exempted. Jesus reprimanded them for it; we also need to make amends.
Jesus rescued them from the storm, and he can save you from your everyday storm. (1 Corinthians 15:55)
Be mindful of the Process
WITHOUT A RIGHT PROCESS, there cannot be the desired outcome.
Focussing on the Process gives you the right perspective.
Storms are difficulties that make us question God—they are challenges that make us feel like God is asleep—but he isn't.
When you speak to your circumstance in the name of Jesus, you use your authority in Christ. (Luke 10:19)
Jesus was mindful of the Process.
When he rebuked the wind, he brought God's reality to them. He brought order to the chaos of their lives.
And they were scared that the elements obeyed his voice. They realized who was in their boat.
The storm is where you meet with God
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
BEFORE THEY LEFT for the other side, he knew that the storm was coming. But Jesus got into the boat with them.
Providence teaches that God uses all your life experiences to His glory. Whatever your situation, there's a purpose for it.
The storm isn't where you fight your enemy; it is where you meet with God.