One of my favourite stories of Jesus with his disciples takes place on the Sea of Galilee. It is evening and Jesus is asleep in the stern. Suddenly, a storm blows up. The shallow fishing boat is being swamped by the waves but Jesus sleeps on. His twelve friends are scared for their lives. One of them shakes Jesus awake. 'Don't you care that we are drowing? Save us!', they cry. And, he does. Jesus speaks and the winds and waves obey him. It is a sign that Jesus speaks with authority. Only God can stop the forces of nature.
And yes, this is the main point of the story. But, I like to think of Jesus in the boat with his friends in a storm. We all face stormy periods in life. Whether this is sickness and ill-health, loneliness or the loss of a loved one, a break up in a relationship or loss of a job... life comes with storms. We can't always sail in tranquil waters. We don't always have the strength, the courage or the perseverance to ride out our storms. This story reminds me that we are never on our own. Jesus is in the boat with us when the waves threaten to swamp us. He is waiting for us to turn to him.
It is a powerful image for us to contemplate. For ourselves... for those whose struggles move us to tears. For this story speaks to my own life, the lives of those I serve, and the lives of those who flee conflicts only to find themselves adrifted in an overcrowded boat that is sinking.
Do remember them as you ponder where Jesus is in your life.
Every blessing,
Revd Katrina