About a Storm...

Mark 6. 47 - 56

When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,

The most afraid I think I have ever been was in a boat in a storm with my children. It was the kind of fear that brings to mind making a deal with God..."if I survive I will" fill in the blank. I didn't see Jesus walking on the sea, but my human captain got us home safely, and we were all fine.

I don't know about all of you, but I would like to hear the voice of Jesus about now saying, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." We are in a storm of mammoth proportions. The surface winds are of hurricane force, and they will not subside for awhile.

But I wonder...if we might see Jesus walking in the storm in new and different ways. We are in the season of new growth, new life, renewal in nature. Everyday there is another flower in the woods, another branch with new leaves, and even a new butterfly on the bushes. And every morning the sun comes up, every night it sets and the moon rises.

If we are quarantined or self isolated, we have the gift of time which many of us have not had ever. And again, perhaps that gives us time to look more closely at God's creation.

We are also connecting electronically like we never have before. Do you find yourself longing to talk to someone and having time for a phone call? Earlier this week my discipleship group met on a zoom call with one of us on a bike and two of us sitting outside. The birds were on the call too.

If you need a hand weathering this storm, reach out and touch someone in a new and different way...and you might see Jesus and hear him say, "It is I; do not be afraid."

to be continued...