Adverse Winds

When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and Jesus 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 sea. He intended to pass them by. 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.” 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 marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. Mark 6:47-56

We have all been caught up in the storms of life. No matter how faithfully and humbly we might live, an illness, a death or a betrayal can churn up all negativity and we can feel defeated and broken. I know this all too well, as the past months have undone me and I felt caught in a storm, out of control. The good news today, is our storms are the place where Jesus walks. Not only is he walking by, he gets in the boat with us. In our worst moment of adversity, he is with us already calming the storms.

Gracious Creator, source of wind and water

you send us breezes sou we might sail across

and calm seas so we might row across and

you send Jesus to be with us on the storms.

We are often discouraged and always afraid

we cry out in the darkness fearing more trouble

yet you bring your beloved to the safe harbors

and dwell with us when we are most afraid.

Help us to call upon you in every terror

let us rely on your love in our desperate times

let love run down on us all like cooling rain

so that we might serve others in your name. Amen.