16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[a] they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, “It is I;[b] do not be afraid.”
— John 6: 16 – 20
When it is evening the disciples shove off the shore into the darkness. They ride the waves and are very afraid as they try to cross to the lake. The disciples fear in the storm. They believe the storm will defeat them. I am drawn to this image of the guys in the boat trying to get to the other side. Often there is so much we come to fear over the course of our lifetimes, so much we suppose will defeat us as we make our way home.
The disciples are unable to calm one another. I imagine they must be asking one another, “ Where the heck is Jesus? Why, why, why? That is the question we often ask ourselves in midst of the storms of life. What the heck God? Truly we have said this when we can’t even see the shore to the other side of this pandemic.
Eventually Jesus does come strolling out to them on the stormy sea. Jesus presence did not bring an instant miracle, the sea was not calmed immediately, but the disciples are calmed by his presence and his words, “I am here, Do not be afraid.” I am. – the oldest name for God. God is with them offering words of comfort. God is with us even in the storms, even when we are most afraid providing hope, a life jacket if you will.
When I see life jackets I always think of what a mother from my former congregation told me. Her son had died in a car accident and so it was a very difficult time. She said that at one time someone told her God was her life jacket. She really didn’t like that image at first . But the image stuck and gradually she started seeing life jackets everywhere — in the ways people were being kind to her, helping her family with meals and prayers. She started seeing all these acts of kindness as life jackets to keep her from drowning in her grief. It so important we care for one another. May you know God’s presence buoying you up as we make our way together to the other side. Rev. Kathryn Nelson
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