Thoughts for the Day

On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He 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?’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have known two or three people in my life who can just do everything - they can repair things around the house, sort out computer problems, know the answers to numerous things, and to beat all can fix the car when things go wrong. They are the most wonderful men and women - the 'go-to' people - who give their time generously. Some are now dead, but a couple still do all they can to help family, friends, and neighbours. I am pretty sure they would be shocked to know I was thinking of them today, for it would never occur to them to see themselves in this way.

In our reading today we see an exhausted Jesus setting off with the disciples in a small convoy to the other side, some eight miles away across the Sea of Galilee, leaving all the crowds behind. This fresh-water lake funnels the wind and the storm was fierce so that these experienced fishermen thought they were sinking. They have enough trust to turn to Jesus, but their fear also shows their lack of confidence. Jesus rebukes the storm and it subsides, but he still admonishes the disciples for their lack of faith.

We should remember to turn to God in all times of need, not just our wonderful 'go-to' people, for sometimes this is the only expert that we really need in our life.

Lord God,
in our panic at needing help,
often we turn to trusted friends or family,,
but help us also to turn to You,
remembering that You are the ultimate expert,
and that You always 'have our back'.
Amen.