Weathering Life's Storms

Imagine the scene: Jesus has been teaching by the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. It's just past dinnertime, and He wants to climb one of the hills nearby to pray. Meanwhile, He tells his disciples to take their fishing boat across the water to find a place near one of the Gentiles' towns where they can tie up for the night. "Don't worry. I'll catch up with you," He says.

Peter gives a few quick directions. The disciples row out a bit, and put up the sail. The wind gives them a good push. They take a bearing toward the destination, and when they look back, Jesus is out of sight. Okay. But the weather seems likely to change soon.

Along about sunset, as the light starts to fade, the wind blows in some dark clouds, and the waves start to rise up near the gunwales of the little boat. Rocking back and forth, the disciples nervously look to find their port, but it's really getting dark. Then the rain starts, heavily. Peter knows, no one wants to be out here in a storm. Fishing boats have been tossed and lost before, many times.

A flash of lightning, and a brief glimpse shows a figure walking toward them ... on the water? That's crazy! It must be a ghost. But, another flash ... followed by a voice, shouting, "This way!" More lightning. Peter grabs the lantern from the mast, and leans out to see. FLASH! It's Jesus, beckoning them to bring in the boat, standing in the water. Everyone is scared, but Peter, who says, "If that's you, Jesus, should I jump out of the boat?" "Come on," He says. So Peter grabs the mooring rope, and  hops out of the boat, and sinks in over his head. "Help!" Jesus grabs his hand, "Look at me. Stand beside me."

Together they pull the boat in along the submerged jetty to find a piling where they can tie up for the night. Peter is still cold and shaking, frightened by the storm, but Jesus says, "Where is your faith? Did you think I would let you drown? Watch how the Father cares for us." He turns away from the little boat, and cries out to the storm, "Peace, be still." And so, the wind blows calmer, and the dark clouds drift away, just as the new dawn lightens the eastern sky. 

Now, you may wonder, why is this little episode important? Was there a miracle here? Maybe not, unless you define a miracle as "an event that prompts the rise of faith." Jesus certainly had faith that He could walk out that jetty in the dark, and help bring in the boat from being buffeted by the storm. Peter had enough faith to jump overboard, as he was told, to help haul in the boat. The disciples were amazed to see how quickly the storm cleared after Jesus told it to calm down. Jesus wanted them to understand that, in the Father's care, everything will turn out as it should. Don't worry, if it's not your time, you won't drown. We'll keep you safe.

In the storms of life that we experience, it seems that we are often just like the other disciples. Amazed that things work out so nicely, just as they should. We have little faith. Maybe we have a bit more, like Peter, ready to jump when called, but fearful when we realize we are in over our heads.

But Jesus had real faith. He knew He was needed, that He could step out into the darkness onto that jetty. He knew He wouldn't be blown over or washed off by the waves, because He was needed to be there. That was the Plan, to rescue the disciples and show them how, when you are staying in your calling, everything will happen just as it should. You don't have to worry. The Plan will unfold, with your place in it, just the way it's supposed to go.

Now, the storms of life can get pretty rough, especially when we are called to be on the front lines of confrontation with the Darkness. When we are fighting the evil, corruption and lies that want to bind us and prevent salvation, Satan may defy us, cruelly casting the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune right into our paths. And he may even score a few points, if we aren't ready. Satan knows how to hurt us, if he can't tempt us. We must be wary to not let the temptations of darkness divert us, by causing us to sin. And we must be strong, to hold on by faith, and refuse to be prevented from achieving our tasks.

In the dark times, we must keep our eyes open to see the flash. The flash, and the Voice, will tell us when we are close, when to take the leap to meet the challenges we face. Jesus' disciples know the sound of his voice. We will never follow anyone else. It is our challenge to be ready to jump out of the boat, even when we are not sure where the jetty is. Just keep your focus on Jesus, hold out your hand, and stand firmly beside Him. Don't worry, the weather is under the Father's control. You can help to bring the boat in, and you won't drown.