Storms of Life, A Matter of Trust
M. Jolaine Szymkowiak
Matthew 14:22-33
In our lifetimes, we will have experienced the storms of wars, the storms that evolve around the death of family members and friends, and crises of all kinds. We have experienced the horror of Oklahoma bombings, two attacks on the twin towers in New York – 9-11, school shootings, the destitution, and disregard for life present in the urban areas and inner city. We have been through one hurricane after another, one tornado after another and yet survived. We seem surrounded at times by the many storms of life, emotionally, physically and mentally.
The disciples found themselves also in one of those sudden weird storms on the lake. They had followed Jesus instructions and had gone ahead, launched their small boats and were now some distance from shore. Moreover, when our storms come, we usually find ourselves battling them all alone not knowing what to do, nor in this instance, do they.
A lot had happened to the disciples this particular day. They were still new in their walk with Jesus. Just that morning they had heard that John the Baptist had been beheaded. Jesus had that day fed the five thousand. Now they had been battling a storm at sea since leaving Jesus to dismiss the crowds. Many things happened that day they found hard to comprehend.
The disciples could not trust their eyes. What but a ghost would walk upon water? To test what they heard in Jesus reply, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear," Peter answers, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." Jesus says, "Come."
Peter focuses on Jesus and is out of the boat walking toward Jesus. However, as the storm continues to blow about him now out of the boat in the midst of it, Peter sees the storm close in around him. He becomes afraid. As he sinks, Peter cries out, "Lord, save me."
Immediately Jesus is there, takes Peter's hand and says, "O you of little faith, why do you doubt?"
Trust and ...
M. Jolaine Szymkowiak
Matthew 14:22-33
In our lifetimes, we will have experienced the storms of wars, the storms that evolve around the death of family members and friends, and crises of all kinds. We have experienced the horror of Oklahoma bombings, two attacks on the twin towers in New York – 9-11, school shootings, the destitution, and disregard for life present in the urban areas and inner city. We have been through one hurricane after another, one tornado after another and yet survived. We seem surrounded at times by the many storms of life, emotionally, physically and mentally.
The disciples found themselves also in one of those sudden weird storms on the lake. They had followed Jesus instructions and had gone ahead, launched their small boats and were now some distance from shore. Moreover, when our storms come, we usually find ourselves battling them all alone not knowing what to do, nor in this instance, do they.
A lot had happened to the disciples this particular day. They were still new in their walk with Jesus. Just that morning they had heard that John the Baptist had been beheaded. Jesus had that day fed the five thousand. Now they had been battling a storm at sea since leaving Jesus to dismiss the crowds. Many things happened that day they found hard to comprehend.
The disciples could not trust their eyes. What but a ghost would walk upon water? To test what they heard in Jesus reply, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear," Peter answers, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." Jesus says, "Come."
Peter focuses on Jesus and is out of the boat walking toward Jesus. However, as the storm continues to blow about him now out of the boat in the midst of it, Peter sees the storm close in around him. He becomes afraid. As he sinks, Peter cries out, "Lord, save me."
Immediately Jesus is there, takes Peter's hand and says, "O you of little faith, why do you doubt?"
Trust and ...
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