Chapter 81: ３ chapters, did we die?

３ chapters, did we die?

Did we die?

Liu Guozong

The Bible has such a passage: once, Jesus and his disciples went across the sea to preach; when the boat left shore and sailed into the deep sea, a great storm suddenly arose.

The sea surface surged with waves, each wave higher than the last, coming from all directions and crashing into the boat where Jesus and his disciples were.

The boat swayed uncontrollably in the wind and waves, seeming about to be capsized and sunk.

Faced with the raging storm and violent waves before them, the disciples panicked and didn't know what to do; but Jesus remained calm and fell asleep.

The disciples hurriedly woke Jesus, pleading, "Lord, save us, we're perishing!" Jesus said, "You of little faith, why are you afraid?" Then he rebuked the wind and the sea, and the wind and sea became completely calm.

Faced with the same turbulent waves, they displayed different attitudes and methods: those of little faith panicked, cried out for help, and placed their hope of survival on others; those of great faith remained unperturbed, calmly fell asleep, letting the wind and waves beat upon them, as if strolling leisurely in a courtyard.

What a striking contrast.

Naturally, those who conquer the waves are those who do not regard the waves as important.

Song dynasty poet Su Dongpo said: "Do not listen to the sound of rain beating through the trees; why not chant and stroll leisurely? With bamboo staff and straw sandals lighter than a horse, who fears? A single raincoat lets me wander through life; looking back at the desolate place, there is neither wind nor rain, nor sunshine."

Look, how broad-minded an attitude. We are all swimming in the sea toward the far shore; since it is the sea, how could there be no waves? If there were no waves, could it still be called the sea?

No one's life is completely calm wind and still waves; some people, when facing wind and waves, can remain calm like Jesus, then dispel the wind and waves; of course, many more, when confronted with wind and waves, become disoriented, lose direction, fearful and timid.

Shouting "We're perishing!"—in fact, how serious could it be? As long as you bravely face it and take proactive measures, you will find "a bright village after the dark willows and flowers".

Looking back at the desolate scene, there is neither wind nor rain, nor sunshine! The wind and rain will soon pass, and sunshine lies after the storm.

Quoting others' ready-made words: "Sunshine always comes after the storm; without experiencing wind and rain, how can one see a rainbow?"

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