Mark 4

Jesus,
I read many of your parables today. The farmer scattering seed, the lamp, the growing seed, the mustard seed.
I can't help but be disappointed in myself for not fully understanding. I worry that I will be the plant wilting in the hot sun because it didn't have deep roots (Mark 4:6). I am beating myself up for not "listening more closely" or paying close attention in order to understand. Please have mercy on me for not fully understanding the words you spoke. Help me to get to a place where I do understand.

On the other hand, at the end of the chapter there is the story of when your disciples are on the boat and you sleep while a storm comes. How I'd like to have that kind of peaceful sleep. Haha. But I learned that you have power over everything, and then I just love the metaphor of you calming the storms. That you can speak once and there will be peace.

39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.  -Mark 4:39


I long for that great calm. The calm that only you can bring.
Just help me to trust in you, and to truly have my heart and mind open when I read your scripture, so that I can understand and so that I can learn and know you better.

I also wanted to share with you the words a friend shared at my small group last night. It was in context of the verse:

7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. -2 Corinthians 4:7


You are the light. And we are the fragile clay jars. I questioned, what if we break? The fact that we are so fragile scares me, that we might break at any moment.
And my friend said that we are all broken. And through the cracks of our brokenness you are able to shine through.
I thought that was amazing.

Thank you for your word. For your love and the hope you bring.
Be with me in my day today.
I love you.

Amen.