It seems that some people endure more storms throughout their life than others. Some storms pass through quickly and don’t result in much disruption. They cause our ship to sway back and forth for a while and we are soon back on course. Other storms are unrelenting. Wind, rain, lightning, and a barrage of waves threaten to capsize. We hold on to what we can as the ship tosses about, hoping and praying for the storm to subside.
The heading on the main page of this site says, “Hope to persevere through the storm.” A few months ago I posted a podcast titled “Does Hope Exist?” In that episode I spoke about active vs. passive hope. While we endure life’s storms, we must have an active hope. This is a hope in which we do all that we can to strive toward the best possible outcome. We continue pressing forward. We put in the hard work. We do what is necessary so that we may come through the storm more equipped to face the next one we face.
As much as we wish we had complete control over our lives, there are many times in which the storm is beyond our control. In these situations we must also have a passive hope. We do all that we can, but there is something more that must happen to endure the storm. Something beyond that which we have already done. When Jesus was in a boat with his disciples, they faced a physical storm. Luke 8:23 says, “A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.”
It was in this situation that they were beyond their capabilities. These men were all experienced fishermen, and no doubt they knew what to do. But regardless of their experience and all their skills, they believed they were about to die. Unfortunately I can speak something to this, though I won’t go into detail. I know what it is like to be in a situation where you feel that your life is in danger. No experience or training could prepare you for what you are dealing with at the moment. There is nothing more you can do but hope.
While His disciples were fearing for their lives, Jesus was sleeping without care. They woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He awoke and calmed the storm, then asked them, “Where is your faith?” I have wrestled with this story throughout my life. I believed that the purpose was to say that if we had faith we could calm a storm. Perhaps it is life’s experiences that don’t necessarily teach you how to calm the storm, but what to do when they come.
I have not been on a boat in the middle of a storm, believing that I was going to drown. But I did (literally) drive through a wall of fire, hoping I would make it to the other side which I could not see. Jesus asked His disciples, “Where is your faith?” not to condemn them for not rebuking the storm themselves. He asked them to remind them where they must place their faith when such a storm comes. Where they must place their hope.
There have been many storms in my life where my active hope has all been used up. I have run out of ideas. I have run out of experience. I’m not sure how I will make it through. But at that time I must have a passive hope. A passive hope that tells me to drive into the flames and that I will make it through to the other side.