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 seeing my final score and thinking one or two of my players should have produced more points for me on the field. Sure, those players were ready and their projected score was set…and it was set pretty high. From my vantage point on the couch, the game plan was in their favor, those catches should have been made, and that run for the touchdown that didn’t happen should have definitely happened.
Disappointment is the word. That is what I am feeling in that moment, disappointment. I’m disappointed in what should have happened that didn’t. Disappointed at the fact that I lost to David Mata yet again. Disappointed in the fantasy of it all.
I believe when Jesus was awakened by his disciples on that stormy night, that is exactly what he felt, disappointment. Not in a sitting on the couch fantasy football kind of way, but in the understanding of the truth to which he was awakened. His disciples, who he had spent so much time with, disappointed him by their lack of faith.
Although the storm was raging, and the wind and the waves were pretty ominous, the Son of the Living God was aboard. In fact, Jesus found rest in the storm…maybe because of all the rocking and rolling of the boat!
The question Jesus asked his disciples could be asked of all us, “Where is your faith?” This fall, as modern disciples of Jesus, let’s produce better in the faith category. God’s better-than-a-couch projections for our faith are high because He is the cornerstone of our faith. Let’s not disappoint him. The storm might be raging, but remember Jesus is with you and He is not freaked out one bit. In fact, He is pretty chilled. Faith should never be a fantasy for us, especially in the midst of the storm. It should always be real and strong. Let’s set that kind of real faith as a projection for all of us and then make it happen because the One who commands the winds and the water is with us!
-Dr. Joe Rangel
Dr. Joe Rangel is currently an Associate Professor of Christian Ministry at “the” Wayland Baptist University. In his “lucky” 13th year in Christian higher education, Joe has also served churches in various pastoral roles throughout the years. “The” FBCW was one of those stops along the way. When he is not cheering on his SMU Mustangs or the Dallas Cowboys, or the San Antonio Spurs, he is pretty bored. However, he does enjoy the challenges and joys of ministry, hanging out with his wife, Sara and debating life’s issues with his soon to be nine-year old son David. Dr. Joe manages the Starkingly Good fantasy team in the Bible Thumpers league.