God had something to say to me as my newborn grandboy, Rapha, cuddled against my chest.

“This is YOU, Son,” Jesus said.

My soul nodded–a little grudgingly, and Rapha wrapped his tiny pink fingers around one of mine.

“I know, Lord: I’m helpless without you.”

I sighed. Younger Rick never would have admitted it. Sixty-three-year-old Rick gets it.

Have you ever acknowledged your helplessness to God? How many times has he “reminded” you?

I encourage you to “Just get it over with.”

Tell him, “Without you, Jesus, I fail. Without your guidance, Lord, I’ll ruin everything. In this chaotic life I admit: I am as helpless as a baby.”

It’s not a cop-out to accept it. You’re not eluding responsibility. It does not mean that you shrink from conflict. In fact, you will sail into the storm with more confidence than ever before.

In the Bible we see Jesus pounding a path to adversity over and over. He met demons, spiteful Pharisees, throngs of people, and crucifixion head on.

Yet, in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee, he showed us what it means to REST IN THE ROAR. In his Father’s arms he slept like a helpless child, absolutely secure–with waves breaking over his “bed.”

The boat could not sink because Jesus (fully God and very much an exhausted man) lay in his Father’s arms.

Poor disciples.

They didn’t know that God wanted them to REST IN THE ROAR too. Whatever foamy specter kicked up the tempest that day, it dared not harm any of God’s boatmen because the Almighty had work for them to do.

Fearing for their lives, and Jesus’ life too, the drenched, terrified disciples woke Jesus to ask the same question we often ask when breakers wallop our vessel.

“Don’t you care if we die?”

I think Jesus yawned. Of course, he cared!

Waves may slap and dunk our vessel and God lets them–to remind us how vulnerable we are. We’re helpless. But are we going down with the ship? NO.

Asleep or awake, we are unsinkable because we lay in the arms of our Father. Our purpose and vessel are guarded while we row through 70, 80, or 90 years–give or take.

Jesus explained exactly why all helpless disciples–then and today–are protected from ruin in every storm:

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16)

We are chosen by God.

Appointed.

We rest in our Father’s arms during the storm and our vessel is unsinkable. Our purpose unassailable.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psa. 46:1-3)

WE CAN REST IN THE ROAR.