Anchors Aweigh!

Psalm 40, 54 • Psalm 51
Eccles. 5:1-7 • Gal. 3:15-22 • Matt. 14:22-36

You know about Jesus walking on water, right? It’s an amazing feat, walking across the perilous sea out to the boat carrying Peter and the others. Of course, they are frightened! Jesus is doing the impossible! 

But we often overlook one thing—Jesus MADE the disciples get into the boat. He didn’t ask or tell, he MADE! Think about ourselves. We were not asked nor told to be born, we were MADE to come into this world—launched into the sea of life, with all its winds, waves, and tsunamis.

Jesus hopes the disciples will see that they will make it through the storm if they just have faith. But Peter’s effort is half of what it could be. He walks on water for a while but as the winds increase, he panics, sinks like a rock and cries, “save me!”

We can all be like Peter—as soon as we lose our focus, we sink. It’s true for me; if I get too distracted by life’s woes, I trip and fall. But, take heart; when we find ourselves plummeting under the weight of work, financial woes, addictions, marital strife, coronavirus panic, loss of connection and sadness, Jesus is with us. Jesus’ hand is there ready to pull us in, to help us move forward and leave the terrible wake behind. 

There is a reason we worship in a nave. Think of our own; it looks like the hull of an upside-down boat. Think navigate - nave! During this pandemic, we the church can navigate this storm with God’s help. We may be disrupted and distributed to the four winds, but we are still a community of God, still moving forward through life. Just remember God’s infinite presence. Call on God to help you weather your storm. Lift the anchors and sail on!

Written by Linda C. Jones

Linda has been an active member of St. Paul’s since 2000. She has a jon boat and is still learning the delicate intricacies of launching it! It is humbling. Nonetheless, anchors aweigh!!