The One I Love

“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (Matthew 8:26)

Recently, I attended a Third Day concert with Lynn (for those unfamiliar, they are a band formed back in the early 90’s ages ago). I have to say, I really like that band. Maybe it’s that good old Southern Rock I feel in my bones. Or, the fact that the scripture in their music often speaks to my soul, and I recall it while I am singing the words.

One of my favorite songs entitled, “The One I Love” goes like this:

Oh, you of little faith Why do you let the wind and the waves distract you Oh, you of little faith Don’t you know that when you’ve fallen I’ll be there to catch you And when all your world is gone And you cannot sing your song I will help you carry on The one I love

Sound familiar? When Jesus calms the storm in Matthew 8, Jesus is sound asleep in the boat with his disciples as the storm emerges and waves sweep up into the boat. The disciples are panicked – “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Matthew 8:25). And Jesus replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:26).

I don’t know about you, but fear and worry creep into my life a bit more often than I’d like to admit. Over and over again, when circumstances arise that do not seem promising, or seem unworkable, or complicated, I let my natural mind take over. And then God gently reminds me, “Oh you of little faith”.

My grandmother is someone whom I am very close with and love dearly. She claims to be an atheist, and she has tried to wage war over the years against Christians and my faith. I don’t like to argue, so more times than not, I try to keep loving her and praying for my patience. I have prayed for her over the years and still pray to this day. Lately, I have been discouraged because I think she is so angry and I don’t think she will change. Then, about a week ago I was sharing with my siblings about Creekside and what we are doing, trying not to direct the conversation to her as to not upset her with discussions of “church”. And then she chimes in, very interested, asking questions as if she were our biggest fan! What God? Oh right, me of little faith.

I went home that night realizing how foolish I was to make up my mind that she wouldn’t change – how foolish I was to believe that God couldn’t change her.

There are other instances when I become emotionally deflated, feel a little hopeless when I am not seeing the changes, but God is reminding me through my favorite song, “Oh you of little faith, why do you let the wind and the waves distract you?”

What about you? Are there any winds and waves distracting you that you need to give to God and trust that he can calm the storm? Do you have the faith to believe it? You are the one He loves.

Brandy can be reached via email here.