Sailors have known about the benefits of “storm oil” for literally thousands of years. From ancient Greek mariners to the pirates of the Caribbean and even modern navies, it has long been known that the proper use of oil can make a huge difference in high seas.
What, then, is storm oil? Storm oil is pretty much exactly what it sounds like—oil stored in bags or barrels that is lowered overboard in the event of high seas. The oil then spreads out over the surface of the water, forming a thick layer of molecules that absorbs motion and reduces the ability of wind to generate waves. It is surprisingly effective.
The calming effect it has around ocean vessels in stormy weather is so impressive it caught the eye of Benjamin Franklin, who studied the phenomenon and even reported to the Royal Society of London about it in 1774. Fish oil, vegetable oil… any type of oil will do. New England whalers in the 1800s were known to tie ropes to large chunks of blubber and lower them overboard during a storm. The whale oil would leech out around the ship and have the desired effect of turning breaking waves into rolling swells. It seems odd, but it works so well that even to this day it is required by law to be carried on some Coast Guard lifeboats.
It’s amazing to think that in all this time, all these years, a system as ancient as storm oil is still in use, that it hasn’t been improved upon by modern technology, but it really hasn’t. It is, to this day, man’s best effort to calm the storm around a boat in jeopardy.
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus and the disciples faced a storm on the waters of the Sea of Galilee. Given that several of them were fishermen by trade, it must have been a pretty good storm because it says they were afraid for their lives. Did they throw oil overboard to calm the waves around their boat? No. They called on Jesus instead (He was taking a nap at the time, which should tell you a little something about how concerned He was).
“Peace, be still,” said Jesus, and the storm went away. Just like that. In the thousands of years men have been living, working and playing on water, our best efforts to this day at controlling the waters around us amounts to spreading a couple of gallons of oil around the boat and hoping it’s enough. But at the sound of the Master’s voice, the sea was immediately calmed. Wow! What a difference.
A savvy leader can draw several lessons from this story that will help you and your team prepare for and face the storms you are—or will be—facing.
#1: Remember that there will be storms
As a ministry leader, it’s fair to say that there will be storms. Budget storms. Relationship storms. Technology storms. Facility storms. Pick any area of your ministry blindly out of a hat and you can probably come up with a dozen problems that could crop up at any time. Some of these you can predict and some will catch you off guard. Lean into that knowledge.
Action step: Remind your people that storms are to be expected.
#2: Remember that the Master is with you.
Jesus is in the boat. Keep that in mind, always. He isn’t surprised when a key leader fails or the printer breaks or the roof leaks or, or, or… You might be caught off guard, but Jesus isn’t. So whatever crisis you’re facing right now, He’s on it. You aren’t alone. It will be okay. Maybe not the okay you thought it would be, but His okay, and that is ultimately better, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.
Action step: Remind your people that they are never alone.
"You might be caught off guard, but Jesus isn't." -Jon Smith #collegiatedisciplemaker Handling Storms in Ministry Click To Tweet#3: Remember that sometimes a little storm oil is all you need
Yes, Jesus spoke into the storm, but before He did, you can be sure the disciples did their best to handle things on their own. That may seem counterintuitive at first, so let’s be clear on this: Jesus is always option A. That said, He isn’t napping below deck, and not every storm requires drastic action. Because He is ever present in your life, you have an advantage the disciples lacked. They had to fight the storm by themselves and plead with Jesus when things got dire; you don’t. As a leader, discernment is part of your job description. Praying, thinking critically and applying wisdom go a long way toward revealing just what the Lord’s will is when you’re dealing with foul weather in life.
Action step: Help your people look for reasonable solutions to reasonable problems.
#4: Remember that there is no substitute for Jesus
There are storms and there are storms. Sometimes you can put a little oil on the water and make things better, and sometimes all you can do is scream for Jesus. As a leader, sometimes it’s your job to lead people directly to their knees before the Lord and plead for the help you need. Don’t panic, He’s listening, and don’t let your people panic either.
Action step: Remind them that the voice of the Master is stronger than any solution devised by the mind of man.
“As a leader, sometimes it’s your job to lead people directly to their knees before the Lord and plead for the help you need.”
Jon Smith
In the Calm and In the Storm
Handling the storms of life isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming either. Taking the time before things get rough to plan ahead is a great way to prepare yourself and your people for the inevitable high seas to come. Anyone can captain a ship across flat water, the test of leadership is knowing what to do when it isn’t. Apply these lessons in the calm and they’ll serve you well in the storm.
