Take Heart

And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 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.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Mark 6:47-56

At the end of a long day, after another procedure, another round of waiting, praying and keeping a small child occupied, I am one worn out mother and grandmother. Healing takes time in all ways and wishing I was all better right now is not going to make it so. Getting a hand up from another kind person and a brief nap are the best ways of getting better, taking heart and trusting God to see us through this day.

The disciples were still new at their ministry and mission, exhausted and surprised every day. Nothing had prepared them for the storms they faced, the sights they would see and the things they would be asked to do. They got scared, like all of us. But Jesus walked to them on the water, quieted the days challenges, still the storm and gave them their rest. And God says to us today, take heart, there is also calming, rest, healing and stillness for us even today.

May we remember as this day comes to an end that people everywhere need to be reassured that God is with them. We can be the hands that offer help, the voices that offer stillness rather than judgement and rest for those who have struggled for so long. May we all see the challenges we faces, the storms that appear, as an invitation to see God walking to us, holding out a hand and getting into our messy little boats.