Taking a Nap

Walking with Jesus: Crossing the Sea of Galilee
Mark 4:35-38: Jesus takes a nap

Late that day he said to them, "Let's go across to the other side." They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?"

The meditation: Miracles
There was this elderly man who cornered a preacher at a dinner after a funeral. He told the preacher that he had the latest information. That there where people who had been able to locate pieces of Noah's real ark on Mt. Ararat. The preacher mumbled something about interesting speculation and tried really hard to make his way to the grieving family. But the old man pressed on. He told the preacher that some people think that it's impossible that the ark would be there after all these years. But that this time they had found it. The old man went on to say that when they proved what they had found, that people would have to believe. Wouldn't they?

Signs, wonders and miracles still fascinate. A priest prays and his statures weep. Pictures of Mary seem to shed tears. An image of Jesus seems to take shape on a cheese sandwich, in a cloud, or an old building. And people come for miles to stand in wonder. Something in us seeks to prop a faltering faith with even homemade miracles.

Perhaps God is into nifty marvels. Maybe God reveals His presence in pieces of the ark and tearful statues. But perhaps the signs of the Spirit's presences are more mundane.

Am I like those people who travel miles to see these marvels? Or am I going to believe in My God who spoke the clouds into being, who spoke everything into existence? My God who has named each star in the sky? My God who knew me before I was even a tinkle in my parents eyes!!!

Okay now the nap part...My favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon is to curl up on the couch with my blanket and rest. After working hard all day, Jesus was weary, and He went to the stern of the boat and fell asleep. Most of us need seven to eight hours of sleep a night. To be sleep deprived can affect one's immune system. During this busy season of the year, just remember the reason for the season and also arrange a time in your busy life to allow time for sufficient rest.

Keep Walking with Jesus....