A Great Gale

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ Mark 4:35-41

Storms can arise quickly in our lives. They can happen when we least expect a storm, and they can come from unlikely places. A blue-sky kind of day or life can quickly turn into a tremendous gale, swamping our safety and overwhelming our hearts. We sense we are perishing, and our end is in sight. To all of the fears and horrors of these days, Jesus speaks directly to the forces of nature and the cruel forces of humans and says, "peace, be still!' We are living in troubled, stormy times. We are reminded today to call on Jesus, day and night, trusting that he will calm the rough seas we face and the pounding in our hearts.

Ever-present Creator, who knows the storms

calling the wind and the waves to be calm

you call us to take heart and have faith

since you are with us in every challenge.

These days are thick with controversy and fear

so many are in hiding awaiting the worst

our hearts and trembling and ever anxious

wondering the fate of the most vulnerable here.

Lord Jesus, awaken your love within us

and help us to hold fast to your promises

that you are with us when the storms arise

and you will bring us peace and calm today. Amen.