22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:22-24
In the fantasy football world, I have walked away from my computer screen numerous times after having looked at my team’s final score and thought one or two of my players should have produced more points for me. Sure, those players seemed ready. Their projected score was set, and it was set pretty high. The game plan was in their favor, and from my vantage point on the couch, that catch should have been made and that run for the touchdown shouldn’t have gotten stuffed at the goal line.
Disappointment is the word. That is what I am feeling at that moment, disappointment. I’m disappointed in my team's lack of points. I’m disappointed for what should have happened that didn’t. Disappointed with the fact that I lost to Nathan Obregon and now I owe him lunch. I guess I’m disappointed in the fantasy of it all.
I believe that when Jesus was awakened by his disciples on that stormy night, that is exactly what he felt: disappointment. Not in a fantasy football kind of way, but in understanding the truth to which he awoke. His disciples disappointed him with their lack of faith. Although the storm was raging, and the wind and the waves were ominous, the Son of the Living God was with them. In fact, it seems that Jesus even leaned into the rocking and rolling of the boat to enjoy some much-needed rest!
The question Jesus asked his disciples pertains to us today, “Where is your faith?” This fall, as modern disciples of Jesus, let’s produce more in the faith category. Let’s not leave a Savior disappointed in our lack of faith. The storm might be raging, but remember Jesus is with us and He is not freaked out one bit; in fact, He is pretty chilled. Like Christ, we can lean into the storms of this life and experience the much-needed rest that only the Father can provide. Faith should never be a fantasy for us! Let’s set that kind of real-faith as a projection for all of us; and let’s set it pretty high because the One who “commands even the wind and the water” is with us!
Dr. Joe Rangel is a professor at Wayland Baptist University and the manager of El GridIronman fantasy football team. His team name pays homage to his obsession with Tony Stark as well as his important job of ironing most of his family’s wrinkled clothes.
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