“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”’ -Matthew 8:23-27
Years ago, on a spring day, Steph and I both arrived home from work, got our daughter situated in the stroller and headed out for a jog together. Everything was going as we would have expected and we were enjoying the warmness in the air. Then, things started to change. The clouds started to move faster, the air started to feel different, and there was just this feeling that something was coming, we turned around and started to head back home. As we were on our way home, the weather warning sirens started to sound. We did make it home safe and sound to learn that there was a tornado spotted about a half hour away and the storm that produced the tornado was heading towards our town.
Life changes, things happen. Things that are based on choices we make, and things that just simply happen. Both forms of change have effects on us. Whatever it is that is causing a “storm” in our lives can often times cause us to feel uneasy, upset, scared and more. There are times when the “storm” around us can feel like too much.
We are reminded through the story above of Jesus calming that storm that he brings calm, he brings peace. Jesus has power over the storms in our lives. Jesus says the disciples have little faith, which can be a hard pill to swallow, but here is why I find this line so powerful. He doesn’t hold back anything based on this. He rebukes the storm, he still offers full peace and calm. This is Jesus. This is who are our journey of Advent is leading us to. Jesus is peace.
May Jesus meet you in the middle of the storm with the peace and calm that only he can offer. Amen.
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