A friend of mine who is very spiritual by nature has a personal license plate that reads “B-STILL.” He knows we must quiet ourselves to hear what God is saying to us.

In today’s Gospel (Mark 4:35-41), when a storm threatens to sink their boat, Jesus’ disciples wake him for help. Jesus tells the sea, “Peace! Be still!” — and it obeys him. He chides them for their lack of faith, but they must have had some belief that Jesus could do something about their trouble or they wouldn’t have turned to him.

It is easier for me to be present to God when I am “still.” But when I am distracted by storms in my life, how well do I focus on him to help me navigate my way through? I need to remember there is no real danger as long as I have Jesus in my boat.