Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation! Now we are in the storm, the boat almost swamped; but Jesus is here now, and when we call him, he will calm the storm. Even the wind and waves listen to him as they would to their creator. As we set out in mission together in the ship of Christ’s church, how many storms arise! The elements of chaos still seem to wreak havoc in our lives, communities, and in the church—and we become terrified. Though Christ is present the disciples and we ourselves begin to doubt. The God who in the beginning brought order to the chaotic face of the deep now in Christ brings peace as we face the storm. So why are we afraid? Have we still no faith? This Sunday, Bishop Sue Briner reminds us that in the face of life’s storms, we are called to listen to him and to believe in the power of God’s word in him, a power greater than all that we fear.
image: Jesus Calms the Sea by Rudolph Bostic. Copyright © Sandra Bowden. All rights reserved. Used by permission.