I Believe

Calming The Storm

 A/N: Just like the last chapter, this is a Bible story with added dialogue. I also made Peter the character who woke Jesus, but remember, I'm writing these stories through the eyes of various witnesses! Don't forget to read the passages of Scripture I include. :)

Guys, as corny as it sounds, there are going to be some "storms" in our lives. And it's really easy to feel alone in those storms. But I PROMISE you, there is Someone there for you! The last part of Hebrews 13:5 says "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." God is always with us, whether we know it or not! And face it, all He has to do to calm that storm is speak. The question is, do you have the faith to let Him?

Mark 4:35-40.

Vs. 38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow, and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

"We'll never make it!"

Peter's words were whipped away by the rising gale, and he struggled to remain on his feet. Over on the other side of the boat, four of Jesus' disciples were desperately trying to gain control of the vessel, though how that was possible, Peter wasn't certain. The waters of the Sea of Galilee, usually so calm and restful, were now swirling furiously, beating not only against the side of the boat, but up into the boat itself.

Peter fell to his knees and sent up a silent plea for mercy. What had started out as a simple journey to the other side of the sea, had turned into an endless enclosement of darkness, or so it seemed to the disciples.

"Peter!" James yelled from the other side. His call was tossed about and thrown away by the heavy wind, but Peter understood. Standing up, he sloshed through the water in the boat as quickly as he could.

"James!" he shouted when he was about five feet away. "Jesus! Where is Jesus!?"

James frantically shook his head in an effort to show that he did not understand.

"Jesus!" Peter screamed even louder. "We need him!"

James motioned to the other disciples with him and waving wildly at Peter, started toward a shelter in the back of the boat. Frustrated, Peter followed.

"We don't have time for this!" he yelled. No one heard him.

Peter didn't catch up to the disciples until they were inside the shelter. The wind didn't seem as loud as it had by the edge of the boat, but he could hear the rain pouring in torrents, beating out an ear-splitting tum-dum-tum-dum. Peter was about to yell at James again when he caught sight of Jesus. He was lying in a corner of the room, a pillow under his head.

And he was asleep.

Peter couldn't believe it. Neither could any of the other disciples. They had all thought that surely this amazing man would be somewhere on the boat doing something to keep his disciples safe from shipwreck, but.... he was..... asleep.

Peter couldn't take it. James and the other disciples remained standing by the doorway, but Peter stalked over to where Jesus was sleeping and woke him up.

"Master!" he shouted, possible sarcasm dripping from the one word. "Do you not care that we are left to perish?! You sleep, and we are destroyed!"

Jesus stood, and silently went out the door. The nervous men followed, but stayed as close to the shelter as they dared, for, though none would admit it, they were all still scared. Peter himself stood in the back of the huddle.

Jesus was clearly not afraid, as he went to the very edge of the boat and stared at the deep black sky. The sea was still a menacing dark grey, and at each wave, the boat was filled more and more with the dark waters. The disciples were ready to fall over and give up their lives when Jesus spoke just three words.

"Peace, be still."

Instantly, the wind hushed. The rain halted, the waves stopped their slapping, and the sky cleared of all clouds. The water was now a calm, gentle, serene blue, and the heavens were the same. A gentle breeze blew by, warmed with the sunlight. The disciples stood, openmouthed.

"Why were you so fearful?" Jesus asked them. "Do you have no faith?"

All of the disciples but Peter spoke softly to one another, asking what manner of man this was, who had the power to calm the storm, but he who had woken Jesus, ran forward and fell to the floor, weeping.

"Lord! Forgive me!" he cried out.

Jesus smiled.

"He that hath faith can do the impossible," was all that he said.

Peter marveled at this. He had not had faith, this he knew. He only believed because he had seen this miracle with his own eyes, but he had learned a lesson that he would not soon forget.

Blessed is he that believeth without seeing.

Mark 35-40.

Vs. 40. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?