The one thing that challenged me the most from this message is the issue of faith. Jesus' disciples continually struggled with understanding who Jesus was and what he was saying. They were supposed to be the ones who had "ears to hear" and yet they needed Jesus to "spell it out for them" most of the time. The final passage dealt with in this message shows that the disciples were not "getting it"...yet. They had seen Jesus heal all kinds of diseases, and cast out demons. But, when they are in the boat and the storm comes, they think Jesus doesn't care about them because he was sleeping. Faith was nowhere to be seen.
It is pretty easy to criticize the disciples, not only for this lapse, but for all the other ones we read in the gospels. Then, I look in the mirror, honestly evaluate my own heart attitude and lack of faith; and I have to admit...I am no different. I have also experienced God doing great things, in my life and in the lives of others. I have seen Him answer prayers and do things no one would expect. But, in the midst of my stormy circumstances, I find that I doubt that God knows what He is doing. I have a different plan, and God usually doesn't choose that one.
I start to worry and try to work things out on my own terms, in my own power. That never turns out well. I have a hard time finding faith even the size of the mustard seed that Christ referred to. In Matthew, He told His followers that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move mountains. I want that kind of faith, even that "small". I believe it is possible, but I know I fail often...especially when things are "rough".
SO WHAT? I am going to take it one day, one circumstance at a time. I am committed to growing in my faith in God; not just in what I "believe" but what I do. I know my God is up for it. I am thankful for the example of the disciples for many reasons. First, even those chosen 12 failed early and often. But also, they eventually did "get it". They never reached perfection; but they understood (mostly after Jesus rose from the dead) what Jesus had taught them and the mission they were called to. God used them to change the world.
