God's Coaching #212

God's Coaching #212

What happens when 40-foot waves hit a 23-foot boat? You get a dangerous situation. Just ask Leven Brown, who led a group of four men in rowing a boat across the north Atlantic Ocean. The men took turns rowing for nearly 44 days to break a 114-year-old world record. Two Norwegian fishermen had set the old record of 55 days in 1896.

Leven and his crew left New York and soon encountered 40-foot waves and gale force winds. At times the boat would zoom down a wave going 17 miles per hour. It capsized twice! If the crew hadn’t had safety lines connected to the boat, some of the men could’ve been killed. But Leven, Don Lennox, Ray Carroll, and Livar Nysted were all experienced rowers and knew what they were getting into. On this day in 2010, they reached the safety of St. Mary’s Harbor in Great Britain’s Isles of Scilly to complete their 3,500-mile journey.

What’s the Score?

Leven already had earned three world records in ocean rowing before starting this trip. But even with all of his experience, he admitted the rough seas had him a bit scared.

The book of Mark tells the story of Jesus and his disciples getting caught in a storm. Jesus had finished a long day of teaching and wanted to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus slept in the back of the boat, a storm came up that threatened to sink it. The disciples woke up Jesus, who promptly told the storm, “Silence! Be still!” The wind immediately stopped, and the waters calmed (Mark 4:39). The disciples were terrified by Jesus’ power and asked each other, “Who is this man? . . . Even the wind and waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41). Of course, we know the answer to their question. Jesus was God’s Son who has power over all creation. Don’t you think Leven would’ve loved to have Jesus as a member of his crew?

On the Ball

Read this story for yourself in Mark 4:35-41. Do any parts of the story surprise you? Why were the disciples scared with Jesus so close by? Why did Jesus ask the disciples, “Why are you afraid?” Take a minute or two to think about God’s power. Then thank God that you can be a member of his crew!

Coach’s Comment

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39