WHO'S IN YOUR BOAT

Matthew 8:23-27 (CEB)
The first time I rode a tandem bike, I was terrified.  Here we were zipping along a busy bike path, passing other cyclists, elderly pedestrians and small children on tricycles on a very expensive bike we hadn't even paid for yet. 

  It was a test ride, and I was scared we were going to crash into a tree or mow someone down.  Basically, I didn't trust my husband to keep me safe.

 Oh well, I suppose it could have been worse.  I could have been in a boat.




Even today, it's not unusual for sudden and violent storms to come raging down the hills surrounding the lake known as the Sea of Galilee.  Caught in a big storm in the middle a very lake in a tiny boat, of course the disciples were terrified, panicking as huge waves broke over the sides of their vessel.

Who wouldn't be?  I would be right with them as they rushed to find Jesus sleeping peacefully through the storm, joining my voice with theirs.  

 "We're all going to die!  Do something, save us!  NOW" with four exclamation points.

 "Why are you afraid, you people of weak faith?"  (Matthew 8:27)

 After all the time they had spent with Jesus, eye witnesses to his ministry and his miracles, they didn't believe that even in the middle of a life-threatening situation, Jesus had everything under control.

 The disciples forgot who was in their boat.

 I know I do, sometimes, and probably you do too.  Life has a habit of happening with great vigor and spontaneity.  It sweeps in like a terrible storm when we already have responsibilities and plans and threatens to capsize us as waves of panic or fear or frustration break over the sides of our little boats washing order and peace of mind overboard.
Right now, I'm living in the middle of a perfect storm of chaos and displacement that I have very little influence over. We're in the middle of major renovation at the church, and my office is currently in boxes waiting in a hallway for my new office to be finished. I'm at the mercy of the contractors and the Board of Trustees.


For the time being, I'm working at home at home, and my front room is a mess of files, books and bags that I've dropped on various piles as I raced from one visit or meeting to another. 

I've also been up late putting the finishing touches on the Holy Week and Easter services.

I was pretty sure I had everything under control.

Then Friday happened. I was still in my pajamas when the phone rang. One of my parishioners was in the emergency room, and it wasn't looking good.

As I looked at the list of loose ends I absolutely had to get tied up that day, I felt like the last straw had landed on the camel's back.

As I hastily pulled on my clothes, I thought, “Oh, crap! Lord, I can't handle all of this. Help!” with four exclamation points.

Jesus proved to his followers that he had the power and the authority to still the winds and calm the waves.  If they could put their faith in anyone, it was him, even when things look hopeless.

And I realized I can put everything on that list and more in His hands, because the one who has authority and power over the fiercest forces of nature is in my boat.

When life gets stormy and it feels like we've lost control over our lives, Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28 that we can know that we know that we know "...that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, and for those who are called according to his purpose."  (CEB)


As St. Julian of Norwich put it, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."

As we step out in faith to face the challenges of life and ministry, we can, with confidence declare that all will indeed be well, because the one who has authority and pardon over the fiercest forces of nature is always in our boats with us.







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