A Glimpse Inside Finding My Voice

 Rembrandt, “The Storm on the Sea of Galilee” (1633) — Public domain. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

 One of my favourite paintings is The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt (1633). The painting vividly captures the chaos and fear of the disciples as they struggle against the storm, each reacting in their own way. While Mark’s Gospel does not describe the scene in great detail, Rembrandt’s artwork helps us imagine the turmoil and desperation in the boat—even with Jesus present.  In Mark 4:35–39 , we read:

"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, 'Let us go over to the other side.' Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?' He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." 

 This passage had a profound impact on my healing journey. For a time, I had felt disappointed, even angry with God, believing He didn’t care about my circumstances. But one day, while meditating this scripture and praying over Jesus calming the storm, I found myself vividly imagining the scene. Whether it was a vision or just my imagination, it felt real. 

  I pictured myself in a sinking boat amidst the storm. The waves were enormous, and I panicked, frantically scooping water out of the boat with a bucket. Then I noticed Jesus calmly sitting on the other side. Furious, I cried out, “Don’t you care if I drown?”—the same words the disciples had shouted in desperation. This image unsettled me. It mirrored my own heart, and I continued praying and reflecting on what it revealed about my trust in God.

  A few weeks later, during a church service, the same picture came to mind. But this time, something was different. Again, I was in a sinking boat with Jesus, but instead of panicking, I did nothing. I simply looked at Him. Even though the boat continued to sink, I kept my eyes fixed on Him calmly. I wasn’t giving up; I was trusting Him—trusting that He cared for me, even though He appeared to be doing nothing.

   The contrast between these two images was striking. In the first, I was trying desperately to control the situation, clinging to my own strength. In the second, I let go of control, not out of defeat, but in trust. It felt as though God was asking me: Will you trust me, even when your life—the boat—appears to be sinking?

  This was a turning point in my faith. I prayed, “Lord, even though it looks like I’m sinking, I will fix my eyes on You. I will trust Your care for me, and I’ll let go of my need to control. I will let You take over, even in the storm.”

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  - Hebrews 12:2

 -  From Chapter 14. Breakthrough