Cheers to Jesus (Some of my favorite Gap Year photos)

In light of Easter, a few of my friends were making cheers to Jesus at our Easter brunch. They would say something that they love about Jesus and then cheers to it. When they asked me what I wanted to cheer to, I had to think. The story told in Mark 4 came to mind.

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”
36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” – Mark 4:35-41

In this story the disciples were terrified in the midst of a great storm. The waters were roaring and raging. There was no hope. The boat was submitting to the sea. There was only sheer terror. Going down into the boat, they find Jesus asleep. How? Is it truly possible for a man to sleep in the presence of this horrific nightmare? I can imagine Jesus being woken up, rubbing his eyes, looking around and thinking, “Really, guys? You really think I don’t care? It’s not that big a deal, but I do care.” I picture him slowly strapping his sandals on and then marching up the ladder to the deck where he nonchalantly tells nature to “shut up.” Whoa. The disciples were so worried with what was happening outside of the boat that they took for granted who they had with them inside of the boat. They only went to him as a last resort and, even then, they were not really asking for help but simply inquiring him for empathy or pity. I’ve realized that far too often in my life I get caught up in the storm. When the water rocks the boat a little, I can handle it. The sea will spray my face and the clouds will bellow with thundering war chants, but I think I am skilled enough to sail safely to the other side. Then the rains come, the waves crash and tumble, and suddenly there is two inches of water in my boat. Now the storm is directly touching me and affecting the way I operate. And it seems like God is asleep to it all. How could he forsake me like this? I run to him in anguish and plead for him to notice me. And then in my most desperate point, he stands up and fixes the problem. Why didn’t I have faith that he would do that the whole time? Why didn’t I just say, “Hey storm, I got Jesus in this boat so, maybe, if I were you, I would not act so tough.” With courage I could have sailed those mountains of water with no fear of drowning because of the precious cargo I was carrying.

So back to brunch. When Caela, Caleb, Kori, Aidyn, and Julia were sitting there asking me what I wanted to cheer Jesus for, it was easy for me to share with them a special aspect of my personal relationship with Christ. You see, in my times of trouble Jesus used to calm the storm for me. But I never got the point. So now He does something a little more supernatural and profound: when I am knee deep in tormenting typhoons, instead of calming the storm, He puts me to sleep. Literally. When I am in the valley of depression, or anxiety,

or stress; when I am at peak levels of mind-racing thoughts and heart-wrenching emotion; when I am lost in confusion and destruction- He knocks me out. Stone cold, mouth gaping, slobber flowing, black out dead. Nothing can wake me in these “holy naps.” I’ll admit, they have saved me from multiple poor decisions and released me from the chains of lies. And when I awake, the storm is still there but I realize who is in the boat with me. I see who gives me rest and is my rock and my security. Then I can stand up, put my shoes on, casually climb of the ladder onto the deck, and nonchalantly say, “Peace. Be still.” Cheers to Jesus naps!

I could tie this into Easter: how Jesus “slept” through a storm, awoke, and brought peace to His disciples. I could share how He is doing that to me by constantly resurrecting me from my past, dead self and bringing peace into my life and into the lives of those around me. But I feel like I’ve said enough. Instead, here are some pictures I would like you to enjoy. These are real life photos of me taking “holy naps” on the World Race. They are some of my favorites. 🙂

(This is in Ecuador on October 5. I was struggling with trust and self-worth and hearing God. Put to sleep…)

(This was right before a big sleep in Guatemala on December 19. I was dealing with doubting my gifts and capabilities to do what God asked of me. Put to sleep…)

(This was on the bus in Cambodia on March 8. I was avoiding the idea of forgiveness and chose to invest myself into being stressful after a stressful travel day. It was easier to get my mind off things. Put to sleep…)

(This is interesting right? Probably my fave tbh ;D)

How does Jesus reveal Himself to you in a deep personal way? If you do not know, ask Him to show up. He would love to hang out with you. Some might say that He would die to….

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Ok I’m finished.

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