Observation: When Jesus is awakened by the disciples, he calls out their lack of faith ... if they believed in Jesus as the Messiah, then certainly they know he isn't going to die in a boating accident. However, to calm them down, Jesus then calms the storm, and they are all amazed.
However, Jesus doesn't "command" the storm to stop. He doesn't give some all-empowering order that imposes his control over the storm. He "rebukes" the storm. He ... expresses his critical disapproval of the behavior of the wind and sea.
At first, this may seem odd, thinking that Jesus would not just issue a command. As God, it seems he would just yell "stop" and nature would obey. However, there is something so very, very much greater at work here. Yes, as God incarnate, Jesus has the authority of God and can control all of creation. However, also as God incarnate, he doesn't need to go around issuing orders and pummeling nature into submission. Instead, he simply tells nature that he disapproves of their current action, and - fully knowing his authority - nature corrects itself and behaves better.
This is how God interacts with everything. He has the full authority to just force everything and anything to do whatever he orders. Therefore, he doesn't do that. Instead, out of kindness and love, he corrects behavior, letting everything know when they are behaving in a manner with which he does not approve, and giving room for self-alignment back to God's plan.
Application: This is why God doesn't just tell me what to do. This is why God doesn't just smite or otherwise punish evil doers. This is why the Lord sometimes appears overly patient. In his love and grace, the Lord doesn't force us into submission. Instead, he lets us know when we are doing things wrong, and gives us room for self-alignment back to his plan.
Am I taking advantage of that opportunity? Maybe I ask too much for "direction" when the truth of the matter is ... I know the better way of behaving in life, and the Lord is allowing me the opportunity to just demonstrate to him my love and appreciation for him by aligning my daily behavior to his will. By his word and his Spirit, the Lord has shown me what is right and good, and now allows me to just choose to do that.
I need to quit being a storm, just because it makes me feel powerful. I need to be a calm sea, a gentle breeze, that therefore serves as a means for others to see Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, your patience is so amazing. I sometimes simultaneously thank you for your patience with me, while wishing you would quit being patient with others. Please forgive my self-centeredness. I will find ways to correct my ways today, and self-align to your will. Amen.
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