Rough Seas

When evening came, Jesus’ disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” John 6:16-27 

I have experienced rough seas many times in my life. Once, we were out on a boat with a dear friend, enjoying a glorious summer afternoon. Suddenly, a vicious storm came up and we turned the boat and headed back to shore. My friend was in the ordination process at the time. He was terrified he might have put his bishop's life at risk. I had grown up by the ocean, so we worked together to bring us safely into the harbor and next to the dock. We did a lot of praying and we knew we were not alone in that boat. Jesus brought the disciples boat safely to land. They too were probably praying hard. Some were probably cursing. Jesus is always with us, even when we cannot see due to the storms and strains of our lives.

Gracious Creator, ruler of sea and sky

you walk to us in our great troubles

you seek us out when we are lost

and you bring us to safe harbor again.

Help us to know you are in our storms

let us know you presence on rough seas

make us strong in our faith as we row home

and let us be safe harbor for those who are lost. Amen.