Jesus Still Calms Storms…
A stormy morning on Virginia Beach.
Over the past few months, we’ve experienced worldwide, national, and personal storms—wave upon angry wave descending upon us quickly:
Pandemic
Quarantine
Job Loss
Loneliness
Death
Racial Unrest
Riots
Fear
Lots of Fear!
Some wonder: Does God care? Reading a familiar New Testament story reassures me the answer is Yes!
As they sailed, [Jesus] fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown”! He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:23-25 (NIV)
This story reminds me:
life’s storms can be terrifying and the possibility of danger very real;
crying out for divine help during a storm is a very good idea;
Jesus still cares about people’s very real storms;
divine intervention may leave me amazed and bewildered; but
having experienced it, faith in God’s love, care, and power will grow.
No doubt about it, recent days have been tough, and responses of people have been polarized, passionate, and painful. We’re experiencing some pretty scary storms!
Today, as I pray for humankind throughout the world, the question Jesus asked his friends in the boat rings in my spirit, “Where is your faith?”
