WITH CHRIST IN THE VESSEL

With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm

Smile at the storm, smile at the storm

With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm

As we go sailing home

Sailing, sailing home

Sailing, sailing home

With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm

As we go sailing home!

“With Christ in the vessel” is a common children’s chorus that we sing in Sunday School.  I liked the melody and enjoyed the actions as I sang it when growing up. However, I did not really face any “storm” when I was a child and I could not truly appreciate the joy of having Jesus with me as I sailed through my life. It was only when I grew up and became a Christian that I finally appreciated and understood the essence of the chorus. Thinking deeper into this chorus and referencing it to the Bible, we notice that the disciples were in a storm with Jesus and the disciples and the  apostle Paul faced storms too.

The disciples FEARED when they were in a storm with Christ.

Mark 4:35-41

³⁵ On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

The disciples were AMAZED and MARVELLED when they saw Christ walk on the stormy water.

Mark 6:45-51

⁴⁵ Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. ⁴⁶ And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. ⁴⁷ Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. ⁴⁸ Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. ⁴⁹ And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; ⁵⁰ for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” ⁵¹ Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marvelled. 

Paul TRUSTED in God’s promise that he and everyone on the boat would be delivered when he met a storm on the way to Rome.

Acts 27:21-25

²¹ But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. ²² And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, ²⁴ saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ ²⁵ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

Likewise, we will face “storms” too. How then do we face the “storms” of life today? As Christians, we will not be spared from “storms” which were promised to all (Romans 5:1-4). Besides rejoicing in hope of the glory of God (vs 2), we are to also glory in tribulations (vs 3). The Greek word for tribulations is thlipsis which means pressure (literally or figuratively). Imagine yourself being cooked in a pressure cooker with pressure all around, that makes you feel burdened, anguished and afflicted. The tribulations faced by the Roman Christians (in the book of Romans) were great persecution, even threats of death, testing their faith in Jesus daily. Today, we do not face this kind of persecution, but our tribulations come in different forms. Maybe you feel pressured by your parents who are not Christians, or at your secular work, or by your husband who does not share the same values and beliefs, or maybe you feel pressured by your peers who enjoy and spend the Lord’s Day differently from you.  Like the Roman Christians, we need to persevere. Romans 5:3-4 tells us “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The Greek word for persevere is hupomonē which means a cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy, patience, steadfastness. Christians are to persevere with cheerfulness, with the hope of being with God in eternity. We should not be grouchy and complain  when “storms” come into our lives. Instead, think of our character that will be built and the hope that will be produced after we persevere. Think of the higher purpose that God has intended for us and continue to sail with Jesus. After all, God knows all things, even the future. His understanding is beyond ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). We cannot but trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5-6) and we have to trust at all times - in both the good and the bad times.

Nevertheless, do you know that we can have fewer “storms” to face? One way to do so is to have peace with God (vs 1). We can do this by taking a stand and choosing what is wise and pleasing to God. This can only happen when we study and know the will of God and desire to please Him. God has promised that “storms” are certain. At the same time, God has also promised that “storms” are temporary, transient and will pass. What then should your attitude be when “storms” arise? Should you jump off the “vessel” and leave the church? Should you develop bitterness towards God, affecting your worship and service to God? Or should you choose to trust and persevere, holding on tightly to Jesus’ hands despite the wind and the waves? 

Let us trust like Paul did, and ultimately understand and marvel at the purpose of “storms”. Let us develop and have the right mindset to face the “storms” of life courageously in the Lord. This can help us to grow in character and in hope,  to strengthen us if we persevere and to prepare us for our Heavenly home! With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm!

(All scripture quoted are in NKJV)