Straining at the Oars

When evening came, the boat was out on the lake, 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 lake. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the lake, 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, 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 the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. Mark 6:47-56

Creator God, source of all compassion

you see us straining at the oars of life

pushing hard and getting ourselves nowhere

and you are willing to walk on water to save us.

There is violence and cruelty all around us

there is too few who share and so many who hoard

there are so many suffering and so many refugees 

and you are still willing to walk out in the storm.

We have relied on our skills and understanding

yet we rarely turn to you until we are panicked

our pride, our arrogance and our attitudes

bring on fear and daily undo us all.

Help us Lord to recognize you in our storms

let our straining encourage us to seek your face

let the crisis be the invitation to look for you

so that peace and healing might come to our world. Amen.