Facing Rough Seas

05Jun
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus 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 4:39-40

One of the most highly regarded figures in Germany is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe; a poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, and statesman. “All that is transitory is but a metaphor.” (Faust Act 2, Scene 5) 


Metaphors are meaning and a integral part of both understanding the biblical narratives, and more importantly, connecting to them. If we take this great storm only as a literal storm at sea during the days when Jesus was living we miss the metaphor that the storm that is being referred to is not merely at sea nor limited to Jesus ear. It is our storm, our sea, our troubled waters. Faith in Jesus is not a mental set of beliefs to which we ascribe but rather the way we see the storm, the way we trust God in the storm. We all live on a stormy sea and it rocks our little boat continuously: a news cycle of wars, conflicts, protests, divisions. Closer to home: selfish drivers on crumbling roads, the death of someone you love, or a challenging health diagnosis - “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” A life of faith will face rough seas and tough times to be sure, but seeing the world as Christ sees the world, trusting in the love and mercy of God allows him to fall asleep in the boat.


Musical Reflection- Wake Up, Jesus - The Porter's Gate

May you rest in the love of God this day in the midst of your stormy seas. Jesus tells the sea “Peace! Be still!” Good advice. Breathe…Amen.

FaithNew Testament

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