Focus in the Storm

Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:29b

Dear Friends in Christ,

In the midst of the storm, where does your mind go? In our Gospel reading for this Sunday, the disciples are in a boat on the sea of Galilee when a strong storm comes up. In the midst of the storm, Jesus walks out to the disciples on the sea. Peter, often quick to be bold, says “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus replies “Come,” and Peter walks out to Jesus on the water. But when he noticed the strong wind, Peter becomes frightened and starts to sink. Jesus takes him by the hand and pulls him up, and the two of them step into the boat, and Jesus calms the storm.

Some have said that the important lesson here is to step out of the boat—step out in faith. Perhaps that is God’s calls to us sometimes. But the other disciples in the boat were not faithless because they stayed. Whether Peter walked on water or sank seemed to depend on his trust in Jesus, or his fear of the wind. And even when Peter was faithless, Jesus still reached out to him to bring him to safety.

In the midst of the storm, where does your mind go? To the rain and wind and waves? Or to Jesus? When we remember the greatness of God, the power of God, the love of God for us, the permanence of God, the timeless scope of God’s intention for us, the more we will find peace in the storms we face, no matter how fierce they may be. In the midst of the storm, look to Jesus, and trust not what the storm can do, but in who Jesus is—for the storm and for you.

P.S. Join us this Sunday for the kick-off of Fall Sunday School from 9:15 – 10:15 with classes and groups for all ages. Join us after the 10:30 service for a parish picnic back at the pavilion with food and fun and fellowship. Help us grow as a community whose eyes are on Jesus. See you there!

Yours in Christ,

-Tom