Children’s Sermon

Mark 4:35-41

Be Still

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Picture of a surfer

What do you think of when I mention waves? Yes, most of us think of ocean waves that spill onto the shore. Here is a picture of a very large wave and you can see a man on a surf board riding the wave.

There are other types of waves that we don’t often think about because we can’t see them.

Sound waves travel through the air and allow us to hear music and the words other people speak.

Sound waves are used in medicine and allow doctors to look inside peoples’ hearts.

Electromagnetic waves are waves that heat food in a microwave oven.

Doppler radar is a type of wave that helps weathermen predict the weather.

We can describe a wave as something that causes a disturbance when it moves through something else such as water or air.

In the Bible there is a story about Jesus being in a boat with his disciples and they are sailing on the Sea of Galilee. The wind is blowing and creating large waves which beat against the boat. The waves are causing a great disturbance in the water.

The disciples become afraid and awaken Jesus. Jesus says, “Peace! Be still!” (4:39). And the wind stopped blowing and the sea became calm.

Sometimes we become frightened and upset by something that has happened to us. We feel disturbed. We may even feel waves of fear in our bodies. Remember that Jesus says, “Peace! Be still!” (4:39) He has the power to calm our fears. He has the power to help us feel peaceful once again. Remember to be still and listen for his words of peace.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2007, Richard Niell Donovan